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The History of Case Tractors in Argentina is that of the development and growth of the Latin American fields. As it's world wide known, Argentina was for a very long time the World's barn. And in this picture, tractors and growth of field productivity is the key element. Case steam tractors are a landmark of the Argentine field, especially if we take into account the fact that this was the earliest international field company to settle in Buenos Aires and take the Argentine capital as the ground base operation center for the rest of the South American Continent. The story began in 1842 in Rochester, Wisconsin. It was then when Jerome Increase Case started his company. He soon moved to Racine, and it was there where he began to manufacture threshers. In 1953 Case and his partners brought into life the J.I. Case & Company, usually better known from 1865 onwards through means of its trademark: Eagle, "Old Abe". After these ground braking inventions and adaptations Case did not put a stop to his inventive and wit. In 1869 he built his first steam engine pulled by horses. American experts say that Old No. 1 is now on display in the Smithsonian Institution; this was wheel-mounted but still drawn by horses and used only for belt power. In 1876 their first steam traction engine was ready; and it was in 1892 when he launched the first Case farm tractor. By 1890 the rapid and amazing growth of the Argentine fields and the increase within the demand by European countries leads the South American business to a sustained growth. Such was the fast growing rate that Case finds productive to open a branch office in Buenos Aires. As we pointed out above this was the first branch of a U.S. based company in this industry ever to be established in Argentina. Later, two more branches are opened there. And the success within the country and the region was indeed unquestionable. Even at this early stage of the 20th century, the South American region began to increase its technical skills within the field. Argentina was the door through which these innovations entered the sub continent. This means that Argentina was the starting point for the distribution of these tractors, and the place where the broadest variety of models could (and still can) be found. In 1920 Case penetrates the final bastion of the Latin American region as it conquers the Brazilian market. And by the end of the 20s Argentina would become a true laboratory for experimental models for the rest of the world. Indeed some true gems can be found here from the very early days of this tractor company. The story of Case in Argentina kept on growing at an amazing rate even after other American and European companies began to exploit this fertile market. Email Bob Frassinetti. The Buenos Aires Art Dealer,Argentina. Bob Frassinetti. Copyright 2005. Roberto Dario Frassinetti.