In times past, snow removal was not associated with the arrival of winter. In fact, many welcomed its arrival. For those who went from place to place by horse and buggy, snow made it easier, and even smoother, to visit. With a blanket of snow covering the fields, many people drove their horse drawn sleighs (often carriages with runners similar to skis) across the property with easier – or at least with greater ease than they did the then bumpy or mucky or barely passable roads. Snow was not to become a curse or a bane in places such as Minneapolis until later in the 20th centuries.
A City Problem
Indeed, snow was to become a city problem, although the railroads that expanded across the United States did run into difficulties. In towns and larger communities, individual citizens cleared their own sidewalks. People could even hire someone to make certain their home or business sidewalk and entryway were free from snow. In many communities, the citizens also had to take responsibility for keeping their own streets clear. However, as cities grew and technology advanced apace, better options to shovels needed to be found if snow removal was to occur on a larger and more effective and efficient scale.
The answer was, eventually, to be the snowplow. A patent for this device first appeared in the early 19th century. The initial piece of snow removing equipment was to be attached to a horse drawn cart or wagon. In Milwaukee, New York and Minneapolis, this was soon to be a common sight during the winter season, particularly with the advent of the automobile. Until then, horses ploughed the streets while steam trains cleared a path along the tracks, a large plow attached to their engines. Eventually, the removal of snow shifted from the individual citizen or business to the municipal or regional government.
Snow Removal and the Automobile
By the early 20th century, the automobile was making what was to be a permanent mark on society. The result was increased and improved removal of snow. In addition, it resulted in motorized forms of snowplows. Many communities had embraced this innovation by 1913. From this point onwards, it was new technology, including a snow loader first tried in Chicago in 1920 – and adopted quickly wherever the snow flew, that lead the charge forward. This was suitable for the more than 17 million automobiles registered across America by 1925. Cars required safe and clear streets.
Since the early 1920s, dependence upon the automobile has resulted in improved devices for removing the snow. Technology has produced newer and more environmentally friendly ways to address snow falling and build-up. Yet, even today, in places as distinct as Minneapolis, Minnesota and Calgary, Alberta, there are times when all the sophisticated equipment for snow removal is challenged by a snowfall and the snowfall wins.
