Process type | Cow milking apparatus |
---|---|
Industrial sector(s) | Dairy |
Main technologies or sub-processes | Milking a large number of cows |
Product(s) | Rotary milking parlor |
Main facilities | Walker-Gordon Laboratories dairy |
Inventor | Henry W. Jeffers |
Year of invention | 1930 |
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".
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]
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]
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]