Change is the Only Constant

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Dan Millman

If the past is any indication, the one thing we can always count on is change. In 1793, came the creation of the cotton gin. In 1834, the McCormick reaper was patented. The Industrial Revolution spurred innumerable inventions, and depending on the geographic area, this time of innovation began near the end of the 1700s with the use of coal as an efficient fuel for turning iron ore into iron. In the 1840s and ’50s, commercial agriculture grew following the increased use of factory-made equipment. This was made possible by cheap iron.

Fast forward to the 1940s, and a revolution began in agricultural technology that improved yields. Farms became increasingly specialized and required more property and equipment. From generation to generation, new processes replace the old, innovations create solutions, and without fail, a seasoned human will say, “back in my day, things were much better.”

But which day are we referring to as the most excellent of days? That invariably depends on who you ask. Perhaps it’s the time before video games (1972) but obviously after the first commercially successful gas engine (1860). Somewhere in that span, the Model T came about (1908) and that was a welcome and useful change. Before the invention of televison in the 1920s? But medical advancements like the defibrillator, heart/lung machine or the polio vaccination didn’t exist. No thanks!

Why all this talk about change? Well, at Farm Collector and Gas Engine Magazine, we find ourselves at one of the inevitable crossroads of change. In the interest of continuing to move forward and provide the excellent collectibles content we have for years, we, too, must adjust our course. As Millman suggested, we intend to focus on building the new.

I’m sure you have noticed something is different about this issue. Economic challenges, including the rise in paper and shipping costs, have encouraged us to join our old iron communities. Gas Engine Magazine content will be rolled into Farm Collector, resulting in a larger, bi-monthly publication with more articles targeted toward collectors and enthusiasts. There will still be a diverse collection of auctions, history, restorations, barn finds, show coverage and more in each issue of Farm Collector. We will simply have a larger audience in mind.