Cyrus Hall McCormick: His Life and Work

The narrative highlights the significant yet overlooked role of Jo Anderson, an enslaved man, in the development of the mechanical reaper that propelled the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company to success. While Cyrus McCormick is often credited for the company's achievements, it was Anderson's ingenuity and labor that were crucial in creating the machinery that generated wealth for the McCormicks. Despite his contributions, Anderson remained enslaved and did not witness the fruits of his labor, underscoring the complex interplay of innovation and exploitation in American agricultural history.