History Of The Chainsaw - Celebrating 60 Years | Husqvarna AU

Early Beginnings

Chainsaws have had a huge impact on the timber and forestry industries. Although today we take them for granted, our ancestors collected wood using axes and other heavy objects; a strenuous and time-consuming procedure.

And that was their reality, from antiquity until the conception of the first modern chainsaw. Felling was dangerous and time-consuming, a challenge that required coordination and persistence.

Forests were the center of human civilisation. Those communities that produced more wood were able to build shelters, thus surviving under harsh weather conditions and overcoming other difficulties.

Wood was used to create a multitude of simple tools and more complex structures. Those who controlled timber production were also able to master the elements. With wood came fire. Fire was then used to heat up metal, creating more advanced weapons, armour and war machines.

Needless to say, wood would rule the world.

The Modern Chainsaw

Saws were already in use during the first quarter of the 19th century. In England, large circular and band saws were used as a means to refining and cutting large pieces of wood in the desired thickness and length. Axes were still used as saws were unable to cut through thick trunks.

The origins of the modern chainsaw are debated. The first chainsaw was designed by German orthopaedist Bernhard Heine in 1830. He called it the osteotome, from the Greek osteo (bone) and tome or tomi (cut); literally, the bonecutter.

This chainsaw, as well as many that followed, were used for medical purposes. They resembled the modern chainsaw in design but were smaller and required manual turning of a handle to move the blade that carried the cutting teeth.

At the beginning of the 20th century, many researchers were looking for ways to power stronger and more efficient chainsaws. The first patent for an electric chainsaw, the “endless chain saw” as it was called, was granted to Samuel J. Bens.

In 1926, the first electric chainsaw that would move to the production line was patented by Andreas Stihl. It was a heavy and bulky model, weighing in at 116 pounds. Troops brought the model to Europe in 1941. Before the end of World War II, all chainsaws were wheeled and had to be carried and used by two people. As aluminium alloys and other forged steel parts were developed, chainsaws began to get lighter and lighter.

Rapid Evolution

Once the chainsaw was brought to Europe, everything changed. In 1959, Husqvarna launched its first chainsaw, the Husqvarna 90, a beautiful piece of machinery equipped with cutting-edge mufflers that would reduce noise levels by 100%.