Farmers toast tractor invention

An invention a century ago that revolutionised agriculture was today being celebrated.

The Ivel, the world’s first practical and lightweight farm tractor, was unveiled 100 years ago by the British inventor Daniel Albone.

Tractor historian Lee Irvine, of Portslade, East Sussex, said: ‘‘The Ivel tractor changed agriculture at a stroke.

‘‘Before the Ivel’s invention, farming relied upon heavy traction engines and horses but suddenly these were made largely redundant.

‘‘The Ivel could do more work, was stronger, more reliable and quicker. It was a remarkable invention and today’s tractors aren’t that different, such was the greatness of his design.’’

Albone, of Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, was a mechanical genius.

He made a series of advances in the design of bicycles, including the invention of self-steering safety racing bicycles, tandems and ladies’ bikes, as well as breakthroughs in the design and manufacture of motorcycles and cars.