Wednesday, November 17, 2010

ABC Wednesdays - R for Ridley's Stripper

In the early days of settlement in South Australia there was a general shortage of farm labourers to manually harvest crops. In 1943 a competition was held in search of a design for a reaping machine. The eventual winner was John Ridley, whose machine was known as The Stripper. There was some contention as to the true inventor; John Wrathran Bull claimed he had submitted a design in the contest and Ridley's machine was an adaption.

Over the years the machine was modified and improved; it was used as the primary method of harvesting until the early 1900's. I am not sure as to the age and make of the harvester photographed.


The ABC Wednesday meme was initiated by Denise Nesbitt. To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions click here.

4 comments:

Roger Owen Green said...

success has many people claiming the prize...
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

photowannabe said...

Whom ever designed it is a moot point. Its use for so many years is the most important thing. I admire those who can figure out something that will make peoples lives more comfortable and profitable. Great post Gordon.

Martha said...

This must be the great granddaddy to the combine.

mrsnesbitt said...

That looks like some workhorse Gordon - must be female! lol! Great stuff as ever - thanks so much.

Denise
ABC Team