The John Deere Journal

history

Explore more than 180 years of John Deere heritage to see how the company has transformed from a one-man blacksmith shop to a global enterprise.

John Deere's General Purpose Wide-Tread Tractor

Introduced in the throes of the Great Depression, the General Purpose Wide-Tread Tractor Earns Its Place at the John Deere Pavilion.

Latest Stories

The Changing Picture in Farm Power

One of Deere’s first training videos explains the special features of the Model “GP” Tractor.

Boy, That’s a Lot of Butter!

Sculptor creates a Waterloo Boy Butter Tractor at the Iowa State Fair.

Lessons in the HOW: Deere Visits Henry Ford

Lessons in the HOW: Deere Visits Henry Ford

A trip to Ford's factories reminded Deere leaders of the importance of creating products that meet customers’ needs.

For the Love of a Waterloo Boy

For the Love of a Waterloo Boy

A man whose passion for the Waterloo Boy nearly 100 years ago still inspires his descendants today.

Figure Eights: Building the 8000 Series

Figure Eights: Building the 8000 Series

The design of the 8000 Series Tractor aimed to improve visibility, enhance serviceability, and achieve a 99% turning radius.

The Legend Runs On

The Legend Runs On

100 Years of John Deere Tractors

The 110 Lawn and Garden Tractor: A Brand Story

Following the New Generation of Power line-up, John Deere introduced the 110 Lawn and Garden Tractor.

John Deere Tractors Enter the Global Market

John Deere Tractors Enter the Global Market

Here's how John Deere put the pieces in place to realize the goal of becoming the largest agricultural and industrial equipment manufacturer in the world.

History Series

Out of the Vault

Our Out of the Vault series dives deep into our archives to give you an exclusive look through more than 175 years of innovation and a commitment to those linked to the land.

View Stories

100 Years

For the past 100 years, John Deere tractors have been the machines that best portray agricultural productivity.

View Stories

Why Two Cylinders?

Why Two Cylinders?

An inside look into how John Deere defied strong industry trends in order to survive the agricultural depression and meet customer needs.

Celebrating a 100-Year Legacy of Tractors at John Deere

Celebrating a 100-Year Legacy of Tractors at John Deere

Current employees share their historic family ties dating back to the acquisition of the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company.

The True Story of the Waterloo Boy Tractor

The True Story of the Waterloo Boy Tractor

Neil Dahlstrom, manager of the John Deere Archives and History, shares his insights on this historic tractor.

Events Celebrate 100 Years of John Deere Tractors

Events Celebrate 100 Years of John Deere Tractors

More than 100 machines from the past century will be on display – some rarely available for display.

The Early Tractor Years at John Deere

The Early Tractor Years at John Deere

Neil Dahlstrom, manager, corporate archives and history, discusses John Deere's tractor development work from 1912-1918.

Secrets of the New Generation of Power

Secrets of the New Generation of Power

Deere Day in Dallas, as the event was called, introduced the New Generation of Power, John Deere's first modern four- and six-cylinder tractors.

Smithsonian Museum to Celebrate 100 Years of John Deere Tractors

Smithsonian Celebrates 100 Years of John Deere Tractors

The museum's "American Enterprise" exhibition will mark 2018 as the year of the tractor.

Preserving 100 Years of Tractor History

Preserving 100 Years of Tractor History

Take a look inside the John Deere Archives to learn about the research process and management of 100 years of tractor history.

The 73-Year Mystery of the “Bathtub D”

The 73-Year Mystery of the “Bathtub D”

Discover how the "Bathtub D" re-emerged to fill its important place in the lineage of the John Deere tractor.

Waterloo Boy Tractor Proves to Be Right Fit for Deere

Waterloo Boy Tractor Proves to Be Right Fit for Deere

Journey back to August 1918, when the Waterloo Boy tractor debuted at the National Tractor Demonstration in Salina, Kansas.

Before the Waterloo Boy: Origins of the John Deere Tractor, 1912-1917

Before the Waterloo Boy

March 14, 2018, marks the 100th anniversary of the day Deere & Company purchased the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company, in Waterloo, Iowa.

Out of the Vault Series: The Blacksmith’s Gift

The Blacksmith's Gift

Journey back to the very beginning when John Deere successfully revealed his creation of the first self-scouring steel plow.