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Joseph Dart was born 1799, Middle Haddam Historic District. He was a American businessman and entrepreneur associated with the grain industry. He was well educated and at the age of 17 began an apprenticeship in a hat factory before managing one in 1819. He later died September 28, 1879 (age 80 years), Buffalo, NY

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Dunbar was born in Carnbee, Scotland December 13, 1812. He went to high school and college in Canada and later Dunbar died September on 18, 1890

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They created the grain elevators to help with the problem of unloading and storing grain that was being transported through the Erie Canal in 1842

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The construction of the Erie Canal made it cheaper and faster for farmers to transport their products. After it was built, the amount of grain received each year in Buffalo had risen from 112,000 bushels to 2 million in fewer than ten years.

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In the mid 1800’s, the need for grain elevators began to emerge. Agriculture in North America had become a cash crop economy after the invention of the Cyrus McCormick Mechanical Reaper. This led to enabling farmers to begin mass production of their grain crops.

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In 1842, he hired Robert Dunbar, a mechanical engineer, to assist him with the project. Robert Dunbar had previously been involved with the construction of mills, and therefore had experience.

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The invention of grain elevators greatly helped grain farmers be able to produce and move more grain in less time. And during the building boom of the railroad system, grain elevators adapted and were built along the railroad tracks.