A Unique Find in the Agricultural Museum Collection – The "Moonlighting" Soil Furrow Maker

The Estonian Agricultural Museum has recently acquired a unique and fascinating exhibit – a soil furrow maker with an unusual backstory. This machine is more than just a tool; it tells the story of the inventive spirit of the 1980s and 90s, a time when limited resources inspired ingenious, handmade creations that quickly found their place in everyday life.

How Was the Soil Furrow Maker Created?

From 1988 to 1995, two resourceful men at the Mõisaküla Excavator Plant Talleks produced machines that weren’t part of any official production plan. Machinist Heino Kuusk and lathe operator Jaan Jakobson crafted about 50 soil furrow makers “on the side,” helping to dig furrows and cultivate soil. These weren’t just jobs; they were labors of love, crafted by hand, whose demand spread rapidly by word of mouth.

The Golden Year of 1991 and Colorful Barter Tales

In 1991, soil furrow makers saw their “golden era” – they would disappear from the Kadaka market as soon as they were available. Most people heard about the machine through connections, and one of the more colorful transactions involved trading a soil furrow maker for a color Raduga television. This was just one example of how essential goods found their way to people through ingenuity and bartering!

A Special Exhibit Soon to Be on Display

Today, this unique soil furrow maker has joined the museum’s collection, thanks to a generous donation from Heino Kuusk’s son, Ilmar Kuusk, who also came to demonstrate its workings at the handover. Initially, this machine will be part of the museum’s collection, but in the future, visitors will see it in the exhibition, “When Times Are Lean, Invent Your Own Machine.” The exhibition will showcase other ingenious solutions created during challenging times in Estonia, where scarcity fostered skilled hands and a true spirit of invention.

We look forward to sharing this and other stories of resourcefulness with our visitors, proving that cleverness and ingenuity have always been valued skills in Estonia!