Plaque on old workshop

Image: © Evelyn Simak Taken: 25 Oct 2014

For a wider view of this location see > http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4217858. Ransomes plough had a self-sharpening chilled cast-iron ploughshare which was patented in 1803. It was discovered by pure chance by Robert Ransome when he spilled molten iron on the foundry floor. The iron hit the cold floor and therefore cooled very quickly, resulting in its underside being harder than the top side. The softer top surface wore faster and thus a sharp cutting edge was retained, reducing the need to obtain handmade replacement parts from the local blacksmith. In 1808, Robert Ransome registered a patent for the standardisation of plough parts. Ransomes became the largest plough and agricultural equipment manufacturer in Britain. From only one employee in 1789, the company grew to employ over 3,000 people at its height in the 1960s. The company became defunct in 1998.

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