grain reaper

A reaper is a farm machine designed to cut grain. Early reapers simply cut the crop and left it unbound. However, modern versions, including harvesters, combines, and binders, perform additional harvesting tasks. In the 1830s, inventors like Obed Hussey and Cyrus McCormick developed reapers with guards and reciprocating blades. McCormick's design included a divider to separate cut and standing grain and a reel to guide the cut grain onto the machine for raking. In Gaul, a cart-like reaper was used, with a comb-like device to tear off the ears of grain as it was pushed through the crop. These advancements significantly improved the efficiency of grain harvesting.1