Exploring Our Industrial Heritage: John Deere
Every manufacturing company adds societal-value in one way or another, but few change the world. The John Deere Company does change the world. John Deere equipment is used by farmers worldwide. It supports our farmers as they work to feed the world's vast population. For nearly 200 years, the John Deere Company has never stopped innovating. Their engineering science provides farm yields and efficiencies that optimize farm production. When we stand in your local grocery stores and look down the aisles, we should see the green and yellow colors of John Deere, because everything from raw produce to snack foods, bread and every other food product may have been touched by John Deere farming equipment. It's pretty cool! .
The John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum in Waterloo, Iowa, is a flagship institution that celebrates the history, innovation, and legacy of Deere & Company. In taking one more step in our exploration of our industrial heritage, my wife Kelly and I spent a wonderful morning exploring this museum and all of it’s exhibits.
It is More than You Think!
Located at 500 Westfield Avenue—the site of the first Deere tractor factory— Inside, guests can explore an expansive collection of John Deere equipment, spanning from early models to modern tractors and engines.
Interactive exhibits bring the history alive. Visitors can engage with hands-on displays, climb in older machines, or test their strength against real horsepower demonstrations. Notably for Kelly and I were the exhibits the featured John Deere’s manufacturing plants and processes, past and present.
Beyond machinery, the museum includes artifacts, historic photographs, and interpretive displays tracing John Deere’s evolution from its plow-making roots onward. It connects Deere’s past with present innovation and underscores how its equipment has shaped agriculture around the world.
John Deere, officially known as Deere & Company, is one of the most iconic names in American manufacturing and agriculture. Founded in 1837 by John Deere, a blacksmith in Grand Detour, Illinois, the company began with a simple but revolutionary invention: a self-scouring steel plow. Unlike the cast-iron plows of the time, Deere’s plow could cut through the dense Midwestern soil without clogging, dramatically improving farmers’ efficiency. This innovation established John Deere as a trusted partner to American farmers and set the foundation for a company that would grow into a global powerhouse.
The John Deere of Today
Headquartered in Moline, Illinois, Deere & Company has expanded far beyond plows. Today, its product lines include agricultural machinery such as tractors, combines, planters, and sprayers; construction equipment like loaders, excavators, and graders; and forestry machinery. The company also manufactures engines, power systems, and precision agriculture technologies, making it a diversified yet focused manufacturer serving multiple industries. The instantly recognizable green and yellow color scheme, along with the leaping deer logo, has become a symbol of reliability and progress in both rural and industrial communities.
John Deere has continually evolved with advances in technology. In recent decades, the company has invested heavily in precision agriculture, incorporating GPS, sensors, and AI-driven data analytics into its equipment. This technology allows farmers to monitor soil conditions, apply fertilizers and pesticides more efficiently, and maximize yields while reducing environmental impact. By combining traditional machinery with cutting-edge digital solutions, John Deere remains at the forefront of sustainable agriculture and modern farming practices.
The company’s reach is global, with manufacturing plants, distribution centers, and dealerships in over 30 countries. While North America remains its largest market, Deere has expanded significantly into South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, serving farmers, builders, and forestry professionals worldwide. Its extensive dealer network is a cornerstone of the business model, ensuring customers receive not only equipment but also parts, service, and long-term support.
John Deere has also become a cultural symbol. The brand is celebrated in rural communities, country music, and even fashion, representing both hard work and American heritage. Generations of families have relied on John Deere machinery, making the brand synonymous with farming itself.
Financially, Deere & Company is one of the most successful manufacturers in the world. It regularly ranks among the Fortune 500 and posts annual revenues in the tens of billions of dollars. Its success is attributed to a blend of continuous innovation, strong customer relationships, and adaptability to changing market needs, including the growing demand for environmentally responsible practices.
The company also prioritizes sustainability and corporate responsibility. John Deere has committed to reducing its carbon footprint, improving energy efficiency in its operations, and developing machinery that supports conservation and sustainable land management.
John Deere is much more than a farm equipment maker. From its origins as a blacksmith’s workshop to its status as a global leader in agricultural and industrial equipment, the company represents innovation, resilience, and dedication to serving those who work the land. Its legacy is deeply woven into the history of American agriculture, while its forward-looking approach ensures it remains relevant for generations to come.
For anyone interested in agricultural technology, industrial history, or the story of one of America’s most trusted brands, the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum offers a compelling and immersive experience.
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