What did John Deere invent?

• A. Seed drill
• B. Steel cast plow
• C. Reaper
• D. Air pump

Answer: (B)

The question tests your knowledge of a pivotal invention that changed farming in 19th-century America. John Deere is famous for creating a steel plow that could reliably cut through the tough prairie sod without sticking, something iron plows struggled with. This breakthrough let farmers plow large areas of the Midwest that had previously been nearly impenetrable, fueling westward expansion and agricultural growth. The steel blade stayed sharper, resisted sticking in sticky soils, and could be tempered for strength, making it far more durable and productive than earlier iron plows.

Other options aren’t associated with Deere. A seed drill was developed earlier by others (notably Jethro Tull), the reaper was popularized by Cyrus McCormick, and an air pump isn’t tied to Deere’s legacy. So the steel plow stands out as the invention most closely linked to John Deere and the farming transformation he helped drive.