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History of the Bulldozer

The originally developer of the bulldozer is still up for debate because different track systems were developed at the same time. No one knows when the original bulldozer blade was made, making it difficult to define what a bulldozer is and when it was invented.
  1. Continuous-Track System

    • In 1904, the Ruston & Hornsby Engineering Company patented a continuous-track system steered using a left or right system that is commonly used today.

      In 1904, the The Holt Manufacturing Company also developed a continuous-track system.

    Time Frame

    • Around 1913 or 1914 the Hornsby Company sold their patents to Benjamin Holt.

    Bulldozer Blade

    • The bulldozer blade has been used for centuries and was originally pulled by farm animals.

    The Blade and the Crawler

    • In the 1920s, blades were put on the crawler system creating something similar to the modern bulldozer.

    The Term "Bulldoze"

    • No one knows when bulldoze was first used for the piece of equipment but it is believed to have been coined from the term's previous uses.

      Previously a bulldoze was a horizontal forging press. A bulldozer was a large pistol and the (intimidating) person carrying it. And a bull-dose was enough medicine for a bull.

      All these definitions imply something big or powerful much like today's modern bulldozer.