Robert McCormick invented numerous labor-saving devices for agricultural use, but after repeated efforts, had failed in his attempts to construct a successful grain cutting and binding machine.
His son Cyrus perfected the reaper, patented it and with his brothers established the McCormick Harvesting Company in 1847. (It is suspected that McCormick's black mechanic, Joe Anderson, may have played a major role in the reaper's development without receiving recognition for it). Its workings, including the gearings, reciprocating knife, projecting teeth, and rotating reel became the basis for modern-day harvesting machines.

• Cyrus gave a public demonstration of his reaper in a field outside John Steele's tavern in July 1831, but continues to keep his father's iron works business in Virginia afloat.
• In 1844 McCormick made arrangements for the manufacture of his machines at factories in New York, Ohio, and other states; they sold well enough to provide McCormick withsome capital to establish his own factory.
• Recognizing the strategic importance of a midwestern location, Cyrus and his brothers form the McCormick Harvesting Company in Chicago. In 1847 a factory is constructed to produce 500 reapers for the 1848 harvest.
• What made the reaper a success was demonstrations and its good quality. Because McCormick was concerned with quality, he was an innovator.
• A pioneer in what today is known as installment selling. He had faith in his product. He was willing to sell on a small cash payment.
• The McComick company was the fist manufacturer to offer a written warranty.
• 1902 McCormick Harvesting Machine Co. and others join to form International Harvester Company
• 1915 International Harvester markets its first combined harvester thresher "combine".
• Cyrus McCormick, is often refered to as the "Father of Modern Agriculture"
• Leander donated funds for a refracting telescope to the University of Virginia. The telescope and building are known as McCormick Observatory and opened in 1885; the telescope was the largest in the U.S. and second largest in the world when completed.

Family:
Robert - b. 1738 in Hanover Township of Lancaster County PA
     moved to Virginia
   Robert - b. 1780 in Augusta Co., Virginia
     Cyrus - b. 1809 in Rockbridge Co., VA
     Lender - b. 1819
     William -