Without plows, we’d have snow way to get around. So what did we do before them?

Michigan Public | By Stateside Staff

Published April 4, 2018 at 4:06 PM EDT

An image of the Armstead Snow Motor from the side. It resembles a tractor with two pontoons with screw tracks instead of treads.

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The Detroit-made Armstead Snow Motor was a precursor to modern snow travel.

Michigan History Center

The branded label on the front of a snow motor

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The Detroit-made Armstead Snow Motors were a precursor to modern snow travel.

California Agricultural Museum

This winter driving season has created many white-knuckled moments throughout our state.

If you find yourself thinking, “There’s got to be a better way to get around in the snow,” then you wouldn’t be the first.

In fact, more than 90 years ago, some creative Michiganders set out to do just that with Armstead Snow Motors.

Mark Harvey, a state archivist with the Michigan History Center, joined Stateside to share a bit of history on snow transportation and removal in the state.

Check out https://vimeo.com/2638558">this video to see the Armstead Snow Motors in action, and listen above to hear where the idea came from and why we don't see these machines around anymore.

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