The concept of a lawn originated from medieval castles, where grass would naturally fill in cleared areas. The idea of a shared lawn gained popularity in the 17th century, particularly among the wealthy, and was later popularized by the development of the lawn mower in the 19th century. Today, lawns are a ubiquitous feature of American culture, covering over 40 million acres of land and requiring significant maintenance and resources. [... more]

The idea of a lawn has a long history dating back to medieval castles, where the area around them was cleared of forest to provide a clear field of vision for defenders. The use of lawns was popularized in the 17th century as a location for sports such as tennis and croquet courts. The development of home lawns was credited to Edwin Beard Butting, who invented the first lawn mower in 1830. Today, lawns are a central part of American life, covering over 40 million acres of land and taking up three times as much space as irrigated corn. [... more]