New Idea Advertisements: The Early Years

Founded by educator and inventor Joseph Oppenheim in Maria Stein, Ohio, and moved its operations to Coldwater, Ohio, in 1908, New Idea revolutionized agriculture by developing a manure spreader that efficiently and widely distributed manure, significantly reducing manual labor and improving farm productivity.

Early advertisements for New Idea highlighted the spreader’s unique paddle mechanism, inspired by Oppenheim’s observations during a children’s paddle ball game. These ads clearly communicated practical benefits such as ease of use, durability, and effectiveness, directly addressing the needs and daily challenges of rural farming communities. The successful messaging established New Idea as a respected and reliable agricultural brand.