In 1935, Charles Finn invented a revolutionary machine that chopped and applied straw for mulching freshly seeded soil to protect it from rain and wind erosion. Based just north of Cincinnati, Ohio, his idea and small shop were the catalysts for a new industry of labor-saving equipment in the soil and ground preservation space. Following the straw blower, Finn invented the first hydroseeder in 1953. This machine was a highly efficient way to spray seed and fertilizers over broad areas. More than just a product innovation – it was the seed that accelerated the growth of the turf and erosion control industry that we know today.