The first axial flow combine transformed the industry and was hailed as the most
significant piece of farm equipment built
in the 20th century. The axial flow used
advanced technology to process crops faster
and more efficiently than anything else on
the market.
The axial flow started with research
done by a rogue Swedish engineer in the
1950s, was continued in secret by a group of
dedicated engineers from East Moline, Illinois,
who did their work in a top-secret garage that
only a select few were allowed to enter.
The book tells the story of how extensive
research and development allowed IH to build
a new machine that took the market by storm.
Done with dozens of interviews of
engineers, salespeople, and customers, the
book captures the behind the scenes drama
and the cloak and dagger encounters with
rival companies personnel and machines.
The dramatic text is accompanied by more
than 300 archival images, concept drawings,
sketches, and new photogrpahy of the
machines and men at work
