This book traces the progress of the lawn mower from the early hand or animal powered mowers, through to steam, petrol and electric-powered modern machines.

First invented in 1830, the early lawn mower was hampered by the inadequacy of materials and machine tools available and its development and speed did not pick up until the introduction of chains and small lightweight petrol engines.

The increase in the number of public parks, sports grounds and golf courses during the twentieth century and the construction of new roads, with their grass verges, have extended the demand for machines of all sizes.