Bickford & Huffman Grain Drill, circa 1890

Lyman Bickford and Henry Huffman began making agricultural machinery in 1842. They manufactured a grain drill in 1849 that became the "Farmers' Favorite." Dependable and affordable, this drill set a standard for the industry. Patents for "double force" seed distribution and changeable speed gearing increased the drill's utility. Farmers could use it to plant seeds and spread fertilizer at the same time.