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V. Evolution of Energy Sources and Technology
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Web Sites
Narration
The increasing availability of animal energy expanded humans' ability to till the soil. Techniques of harnessing animals evolved from the early forms of tying plows to the heavy horns of cattle to the advanced harnessing system for horses. Europeans developed the heavy horse collar that enabled the weight that the animals were pulling to be transferred to their powerful shoulders and away from their windpipes and necks, which made using the horse much more effective. The use of large draft horses enabled farmers to till heavier, more productive soils, which ensured better yields of grain. Better yields meant more food for animals and eventually large, more powerful animals. Although agricultural technology evolved in all parts of the world, the process was slow. Farmers were reluctant to experiment with new, risky ventures for fear of crop failure and famine.
Web Sites
To view the following Web sites, please go to "See also" below.
The Teachers' Corner contains links to suggested Web sites. The College Board neither endorses, controls the content of, nor reviews the external Web sites included here. Please note that following links to external Web sites will open a new browser window. If you discover a link that does not work, please let us know by sending an e-mail to apctechsupport@collegeboard.org.
Farm Equipment Photographic Exhibits
Pictures of early farm equipment from the University of Michigan.
Flints and Stones
This short, interesting tour of prehistoric agriculture (Stone Age hunter-gathers who lived in Northwestern Europe) comes from the United Kingdom and is well done.
History of American Agriculture/Farm Machinery and Technology
A picture time line of farm machinery from 1776.
History of American Agriculture/Economic Cycles
Scroll to the bottom of this USDA page to access more topics. The main page does not provide access to those at the bottom. The pages contain illustrated time lines on a variety of farm topics from 1776-1990.
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