The first commercially successful chainsaw is attributed to the Canadian physician Samuel J. McLeod in 1905. His invention, initially a two-person tool powered by a steam engine, significantly improved woodcutting efficiency compared to traditional methods.
Industrial Revolution
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Industrial Revolution spurred advancements in mechanization and efficiency. This demand for innovation extended to forestry, as the need for larger quantities of lumber grew alongside population and industrial expansion.