Rotolactor
Modern 2008 "rotary milking parlor" (Rotolactor), Großerkmannsdorf, Germany
Process typeCow milking apparatus
Industrial sector(s)Dairy
Main technologies or sub-processesMilking a large number of cows
Product(s)Rotary milking parlor
Main facilitiesWalker-Gordon Laboratories dairy
InventorHenry W. Jeffers
Year of invention1930
Developer(s)Borden Company

The Rotolactor is a largely automatic machine used for milking a large number of cows successively using a rotating platform. It was developed by the Borden Company in 1930, and is known as the "rotary milking parlor".

History

The Rotolactor was the first invention for milking a large number of cows using a rotating platform.[1] It was invented by Henry W. Jeffers.[1][2] The Rotolactor was initially installed in Plainsboro, New Jersey.[1] The rotating mechanical milking machine was first used by the Walker-Gordon Laboratories dairy and was put into operation on November 13, 1930.[1]

Description

The Abstract of the 1930 Cow Milking Apparatus (Rotolactor) patent states:

"The object of this invention is to provide an apparatus whereby an indefinitely large number of cows may be milked successively and largely automatically..."[3]

The Rotolactor held 50 cows and could produce 26,000 quarts of milk.[4] After each cow received a bath, their udders and flanks were cleaned.[5]

The August 1931 issue of the American Journal of Public Health and the Nation's Health described the Rotolactor as an advance in cleanliness and hygiene for milk production.[5]

Legacy

The Rotolactor was featured at the 1939 New York World's Fair in the Borden's exhibit.[6] The Walker-Gordon farm in Plainsboro later became a museum.[7] The farm building in Plainsboro containing the Rotolactor had an observation room to accommodate visitors, including large groups of school children.[4]

A 1930 film was titled: "New Jersey. 'The Rotolactor' - hygiene's latest - automatically washing and milking 50 cows at one time in 12 1/2 minutes - inaugurated by Mr. Thomas Edison."[8]

The Walker-Gordon farm stopped producing dairy products on June 18, 1971.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Kane, Joseph (1997). Famous First Facts, A Record of First Happenings, Discoveries, and Inventions in American History (5th ed.). H.W. Wilson Company. p. 5, item 1056. ISBN 0-8242-0930-3.
  2. ^ Patton 2004, p. 172.
  3. ^ Cow Milking Apparatus, Patent number: 1787152, Washington D.C.: US Government, p. 1, retrieved 12 July 2013
  4. ^ a b Hart 2003, p. 112.
  5. ^ a b Hardenbergh, J. G. (August 1931). "Hygienic and Sanitary Features of Milk Production by the Rotolactor Process". American Journal of Public Health and the Nation's Health. 21 (8): 895–897. doi:10.2105/ajph.21.8.895. PMC 1556626. PMID 18013326.
  6. ^ a b "Walker Gordon farm". MICO Management. 2013. Archived from the original on 2009-06-24. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  7. ^ "Plainsboro museum". Plainsboro Museum. 2013. Archived from the original on 2011-07-03. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  8. ^ ""The Rotolactor – Hygiene's Latest". British Pathé. Retrieved 2013-07-12.

Bibliography

Further reading

External links

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