Object Record
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Metadata
Description |
Sheep Treadmill This wooden treadmill from about 1860 was powered by a sheep or dog. The animal would walk to keep its position on the wooden belt, propelling a series of gears and rollers which turned a metal crank with a long wooden arm. The arm with a hook on one end would be attached to a simple machine. Some butter churns, threshing machines or early laundry machines utilized animal power this way. Beyond their usefulness for wool and meat, with a machine like this, a sheep could churn the cream from twenty cows. By using animal power, farmers had more time to do other activities, besides churning butter or agitating laundry. For larger duties, some companies made much larger treadmills built for horses. Two, three, or even four horses could power large threshing or grinding machines. By the 1920s, the invention of gas-powered motors and electricity made sheep or dog power no longer practical. Contributed by Katie Coggins Registrar's Notes: Wooden tread mill. Constructed on a slant, similar to a staircase. Upright side rails support a wooden belt that is rotated by wooden wheels and rollers. Large circular metal crank at proper right side. Long wooden beam with metal hook on proper left side for attaching to a farm machine. Powered by a dog or a farm animal to provide power for farm machines. Could have been used to power a small threshing fan, churn, etc. |
Object Name |
Treadmill |
Catalog Number |
1979.161 |
Date |
19th century |
Category |
4: T&E For Materials |
Sub-category |
Agricultural T&E |
Makers mark |
Stamped on front: "ALBANY AGRICULTURAL/ WORKS/ ALBANY, NY" |
Material |
wood, metal |
Provenance |
Unknown |