Ferguson Master Patent Centenary of granting lecture held at South West College
On Tuesday 13th October, 2026 at the Omagh Campus of South West College Stevan Patterson delivered a lecture marking the centenary of the granting of the Ferguson Master patent. This patent was Harry Ferguson’s vision of how the tractor and different quickly interchangeable implements would act together as a single unit for the first time in history. The patent number 253,566 titled “Apparatus for Coupling Agricultural Implements to Tractors and Automatically Regulating the Depth of Work” is today known simply as the Ferguson Master patent. First filed by Harry Ferguson on the 12th February, 1925 and granted to him on the 14th June, 1926. A century later it is recognised as the actual invention of the modern tractor.
After Harry Ferguson left school aged just 14 and moved to Belfast his only other formal education would be evening classes at the technical College in Belfast while designing and building his first aeroplane that took to the sky on the 31st of December, 1909, achieving the first heavier that air flight in Ireland. Showing the importance of Further Education historically and presently in Northern Ireland.
Stevan explained as a previous member of staff it was a privilege and just wonderful to be back in the college meeting up with friends and staff for this special occasion and almost as if he never left two years ago following early retirement.
Harry Ferguson (1884 - 1960) the father of the modern tractor although born in County Down would perfect his Ferguson System in County Tyrone. The chief financial backer in the development of the Ferguson System was Thomas MacGregor Greer from Tullylagan Manor outside Cookstown and it was on his estate the Ferguson System was perfected by autumn 1935. The word’s first production Ferguson System tractor Ferguson-Brown serial number 1 would go to him as would the first Ford-Ferguson to arrive in Northern Ireland in 1939 following the gentleman’s agreement between Harry Ferguson and Henry Ford, confirming the importance of Tyrone in the Ferguson tractor story. In fact Greer owned the right to the Ferguson brand name as he put up most of the £156,350 Pounds it cost to develop.
2026 also marks the 95th anniversary of the three point hydraulic linkage in final form with two lower links and a single upper link.
90 years of the Ferguson-Brown Type A, the world’s first production Ferguson System tractor.
80 years since the first Ferguson TE20 in 1946 and 70 years since the first Ferguson FE-35 in 1956.
As well as a local historian and author Stevan Patterson is a member of the St. Lucia Barracks regeneration committee, 2025 and serves as the liaison Officer for the committee that wants to see the historic site at Omagh, County Tyrone preserved for the nation.
At the end of the presentation that hopes to help inspire future innovators, he mentioned just a few of the many other great innovators and achievers linked to County Tyrone.
The father of mobile crushing and screening equipment, John Finlay (1929-1986) was from County Tyrone. Opening his first purpose built factory to manufacture screening equipment in Omagh 50 years ago in 1976. His inventions revolutionised the quarrying and screening sector globally. Many engineering businesses are still creating wealth and jobs across County Tyrone thanks to him.
Stevan also mentioned Frank Crossley 1839-1897, a man who changed the world 150 years ago and by what he achieved can justifiably be considered the greatest innovator and achiever to leave Ulster, although sadly not known in the way he should. After being educated in Tyrone and serving in the Army at Omagh, Frank Crossley working closely with Nicolas Otto from Germany, perfected the four stroke internal combustion engine in 1876 and with his brother William Crossley mass produced it at Manchester at their Crossley Brothers factory, making it globally accepted. An achievement that made the second industrial revolution possible. His life story linked to what became St. Lucia Barracks alone makes the case of why we must preserve St. Lucia Barracks as three museums on one site. A military museum to reflect on the very important history of the site. A County Tyrone Museum and a Museum of Innovation and achievement to celebrate our great world changing innovators and achievers. Together with a world class centre for research and innovation linked to local schools, SWC, universities and business. Bringing tourism, investment and inspiring future innovators and achievers.
Perhaps one of them was actually amongst the students sitting in the lecture theatre of South West College on Tuesday as Stevan Patterson delivered the Ferguson Master Patent Centenary of granting lecture 1926 – 2026.
Stevan Patterson