7. Jethro Tull revolutionized and helped mechanize agriculture
Fans of the rock band of the same name may be interested to learn that Jethro Tull was a real person who developed a tool which changed the agriculture industry around the world. In the 1700s Tull designed and built a seed drill, drawn by animal power, which planted seeds at a uniform depth and covered them, protecting them from birds and sun. His efforts led to more efficient planting and higher crop yields per acre for farmers which availed themselves of his device. Tull was controversial during his lifetime, criticized by some for mechanizing the husbandry of crops, but his innovations led to practices still in use in modern agriculture.