Kansas Primitive Electrical Corn Saw by Jepson Real Photo Postcard

The postcard features an early model of a corn husker, a specialized farm implement designed to efficiently remove the protective husk from ears of corn. Before the advent of such machinery, husking was a laborious manual process, often undertaken by entire families or farmhands. This device, likely from the early 20th century, represents a significant step in the mechanization of corn harvesting.

The development of corn husking machines was vital for agricultural efficiency, particularly in regions where corn cultivation was extensive. By automating this traditionally labor-intensive task, these innovations allowed farmers to process larger quantities of corn more quickly, thereby reducing labor costs and increasing overall productivity. Such mechanization was a hallmark of the Progressive Era in American agriculture, transforming farming practices and contributing to the growth of commercial agriculture.