Agricultural Engineering: the Wrest Park story 1924-2006, edited by Bill Day, Liz Field and Anne Jarvis. hardback, 160 pages inc. approx 130 illustrations. Prices per book, including postage: UK £15; EU £18; rest of the world £20. Obtainable from the institute of agricultural engineers at Cranfield.
In the final chapter of this book Peter Redman, head of the mechanisation service, ADAS, 1998-1993 summarises the value of the work carried out by the NIAE and Silsoe research institute. Firstly, it was of fundamental importance in improving techniques and machines for mechanised farming. In later years it contributed engineering-based science to a wide range of biological processes that were linked to sustainable land use in one way or another.
Pioneering research was often subsumed by the commercial developments that followed and thus to all intents and purposes hidden. 'Furthermore,' argues Redman, 'none of the various stakeholders - farmers, growers, manufacturers and funding bodies - fully appreciated the complexity of the institute's role.'
If you are interested in engineering developments in agriculture, particularly from 1948 onwards when the drive for production was in full swing, you will find lots of information here.