From the field to the fast lane

One of the earliest pieces of mechanized farming — a device to cut grain — the Reaper will earn its reputation as the bread machine of half the human race. By the time of McCormick's death in 1884, the reaper is used in all 82 wheat-producing countries.

Image: Rockbridge County, Virginia

A McCormick Mechanical Reaper is included in the historical fresco painted on the dome of the United States Capitol Building.

Image: U.S. Capitol building dome featuring the McCormick Reaper.

To be closer to his customers, McCormick moves his business from Virginia to Chicago in 1847. In the early 1880s, he organizes his loose collection of salesmen into a far-reaching franchise dealership network. McCormick is the first to offer his customers product warranties and a payment plan, deferring final payments for equipment until after crops were harvested and sold.

Image: Three men posing with a McCormick mower and binder in front of M. Sheehan's McCormick Harvesting Machine Company dealership.

In 1902, McCormick Harvesting Machine Company merges with its fiercest competitor, Deering Harvester Company, and three smaller agricultural equipment firms to become International Harvester (IH). Through the merger, Cyrus McCormick, Jr. creates a company with an 85% market share in the farm equipment business. By 1910, International Harvester is the 4th largest company in the U.S.

Image: The original International Harvester logo.

In 1904, International Harvester builds its first commercial gasoline engine, puts it on a wheeled platform and creates the company's first tractor in 1906.

Image: International Harvester's gasoline engine instructions from 1904

The Auto Wagon, the forerunner of the pickup truck, was developed after the company noticed farmers were removing seats and loading heavy equipment onto the back of the Auto Buggy.

Image: The Auto Wagon from 1909

Launched in 1924, the Farmall Tractor is recognized as the world's first row crop tractor and by many as the most important tractor in history. It is small, lightweight, with high ground clearance and a small turning radius, and most importantly, unlike any tractor before — it can cultivate.

The Farmall tractor was copied by all other tractor makers and set the stage for Harvester’s tractor dominance for the next 50 years.

Image: A radio-controlled Farmall F-30 Tractor

In 1931, International Harvester wins a contract to supply the trucks to build the Hoover Dam — the largest public works project in U.S. History at the time. In the end 80% of all trucks used to build the dam were Internationals. Running 24/7 in 100° heat, the trucks established a reputation as the most durable and reliable in the country.

Image: An International Harvester truck hard at work in the Hoover Dam c. 1932.

Between 1941 and 1945, International Harvester builds rugged vehicles and a vast array of equipment to support America during WWII.

More than 50 years later, Navistar forms Navistar Defense and builds mine-resistant ambush protective (MRAP) vehicles for the U.S. Army.

To meet truck length laws, International Harvester designs compact “cab-over-engine” trucks. A shorter cab allows for a longer trailer and more cargo. To the independent driver or the fleet, moving more cargo means more money per load. Some cabs are as short as 48" front to back.

After building trucks and pickups for over 50 years, International Harvester develops the Scout in 1961. Marketed as an all-terrain family recreational vehicle, the Scout evolves into a true SUV and is one of the company's most innovative and popular vehicles of all time. It was in production until 1980. Today, the Scout is a highly collectible vehicle prized by enthusiasts.

Image: Front cover of an advertising brochure for the new International Scout.

In the 1960s, International Harvester plays a role in NASA's Apollo and Saturn V rocket programs, helping man reach the moon. This relationship continues into the 1970s when IH chemists develop an insulation NASA used on the International Space Station and the Mars Rover.

Image: Apollo 12 Astronaut Alan Bean unloads the RGT fuel element container, which was constructed by International Harvester's Solar Division.

The DT-466 engine, an iconic company product, is developed by the construction equipment division for heavy equipment. In 1973, it is the engine in the company’s first 4-wheel drive turbo farm tractor, and in 1975, the DT-466 is offered in some International® trucks. It becomes an extremely popular engine for medium duty trucks and buses for decades. Customers were known to go into a dealership and simply say, “Show me the DT truck.”

International Harvester’s Axial-Flow Combine, the breakthrough product of 1977, featured innovative rotary-type technology used by all combine makers today.

In the 1980s, following challenging economic times, International Harvester begins selling off certain divisions. In 1984, International Harvester finalizes a deal to sell the Agricultural Division, along with the name and logo, to Case Corporation. In 1986, the company reintroduces itself as Navistar International Corporation. The International brand name is used on Navistar product lines from 1986 to 2024, until Navistar is rebranded as International.

Image: The new logotype was developed by Anspach Grossman and Portugal

After building bus chassis since 1919, in 1995 Navistar acquires American Transportation Corporation (AmTran), a manufacturer of school bus bodies. As a result, Navistar becomes the first modern-day manufacturer of fully integrated school buses. In 2009, the bus business renames itself IC Bus®. “IC” stands for Integrated Coach, referring to the vehicles’ almost complete assembly under a single corporate structure.

Beginning in the 1980s, Navistar builds engines and trucks for Ford under a series of joint ventures and supply agreements. Most notable is for the 2.5 million PowerStroke diesel engines built between 1994 and 2003. In 2009, Navistar and Caterpillar enter a strategic alliance for the North America global truck severe service trucks market. In 2015, Navistar and General Motors team up to co-develop Class 4/5 conventional cab commercial trucks.

Image: GM's medium-duty Silverado built by Navistar

After initially patenting multiplex wiring in the 1980s, programmable logic controls are introduced in 2003. The Diamond Logic® Builder allows customers to optimize utility vehicle performance — enhancing safety, reducing costs, and improving electrical system reliability.

In 2013, Navistar launches OnCommand® Connection (OCC), which increases uptime in all makes of trucks by constantly sensing and communicating performance data to the vehicle owner. Through predictive and preventative maintenance, customers using OCC see fewer vehicle failures requiring a tow and a reduction in annual repair costs.

In July 2021, Navistar International Corporation merged with TRATON SE, through a subsidiary. TRATON (formerly Volkswagen Truck and Bus) is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG and one of the world’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers. As a result of the merger, Navistar joined TRATON’s existing brands of Scania, MAN, Volkswagen Truck & Bus and RIO. The merger builds upon a successful cooperative strategic alliance that began in 2017.

Navistar continues its commitment to accelerate the impact of sustainable mobility with the introduction of the International® S13 Integrated Powertrain.

Developed over five years through global collaboration with the TRATON GROUP, the S13 Integrated Powertrain will provide superior operating economy, stellar performance, and simplicity and serviceability to the North American commercial vehicle market.

Image: International® S13 Integrated Powertrain

The Navistar company name, established and utilized 1986 and through 2024, is sunset. Navistar becomes International Motors, LLC.