International

International Harvester (IH) was a major American manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles, agricultural equipment, and industrial machinery.

Founded in 1902, it played a significant role in both the agricultural and automotive industries throughout the 20th century. The company is perhaps best known for its trucks, tractors, and farm equipment, though it also produced buses, construction equipment, and other heavy machinery. The company’s headquarters were located in Chicago, Illinois, and it quickly became a dominant force in the production of agricultural machinery.

By the 1920s and 1930s, International Harvester had become the leading producer of tractors, with its Farmall line of tractors becoming one of the most popular and iconic models in the agricultural industry. While IH’s main focus was on agricultural machinery, it also produced a variety of vehicles, including trucks and buses.

In the 1970s, International Harvester faced significant competition in both the agricultural machinery and automotive sectors. The rise of foreign competitors, such as Toyota in trucks and John Deere in farm equipment, led to difficulties for IH in maintaining market share.

In 1984, International Harvester sold its automotive division to Navistar International, a manufacturer of heavy trucks and buses. The agricultural division of IH was sold to Case Corporation, which later merged with New Holland. After the sale of its automotive and agricultural divisions, Navistar International focused on the production of heavy-duty trucks, engines, and buses.

The Navistar brand still exists today, continuing to manufacture large commercial vehicles.