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English agricultural pioneer Jethro Tull (1674-1741) is known as a famous inventor, but what was his profession?

Answer: A lawyer. His improved seed drill was invented in 1701. It was a mechanical seeder which distributed seeds evenly across a plot of land and planted them at the correct depth. It is often regarded as a turning point in agriculture, yet Tull’s seed drill was actually very expensive and not very reliable. Good quality seed drills were not produced until the mid-18th century.

Answer: The Genius of China – 3000 years of science, discovery and invention by Robert Temple and Joseph Needham

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