Early Development

Chainsaws trace their origins back to the late 18th century when forestry work was done primarily using hand tools like axes and saws. The earliest attempts at a powered saw used leather belts connected to steam engines in the 1850s, but these were slow, dangerous and saws that lacked precision. The first patent for a "sawing machine driven by a gas engine" was granted in 1900 to two Swiss engineers, but development of a practical chainsaw had to wait for technology to further progress.

Birth of the Modern Chainsaw

By the 1920s, Chainsaw were developing as a feasible forestry tool. The first commercially successful chainsaw was developed in 1927 by Emil Lerp of Germany and given the name 'Lerps Sägeketten'. It was a relatively heavy contraption powered by a two-stroke gasoline engine. Still, Lerp's invention represented a breakthrough as it was capable of cutting lumber faster than any previous sawing method. Other early pioneers included the Swedish company Carl Malmstrom that released its first chainsaw in 1929.

Adoption in the United States

American lumber companies took notice of the burgeoning chainsaw technology in Europe during the 1930s. In 1945, Stihl introduced its Model A chainsaw to the US market, hoping to gain a foothold. By 1947, chainsaws were gaining significance among American loggers. However, it was Oregon-based Dolmar that truly helped popularize chainsaws among US foresters with its durable, affordable Model 3310 released in 1955. This facilitated increased logging productivity during post-war rebuilding efforts.

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