Final answer:
Significant historical inventions that made farming easier include the plow, crop rotation, irrigation systems, and the Industrial Revolution's introduction of mechanized farming equipment like tractors and combine harvesters, leading to increased efficiency and productivity in agriculture.
Step-by-step explanation:
Historical events and inventions significantly transformed agricultural efficiency. The introduction of the plow, pulled by animals, revolutionized the early farming practices by increasing productivity. Families could produce surplus crops, which not only sustained their own needs but also enabled trade. This development facilitated the move from nomadic lifestyles to settled farming communities. As agriculture expanded, technology advanced further, driving the need for storage, processing, and transport systems.
During the Industrial Revolution, inventions like gasoline-powered tractors, seed drills, threshers, and combine harvesters allowed for more efficient farming, leading to surplus production and, consequently, enabling mass transportation and global distribution of produce.
Techniques such as crop rotation drastically improved soil fertility and yields. Meanwhile, the development of irrigation systems in areas like Mesopotamia ensured consistent water supply to crops. Additionally, mechanisms like the 3-field system and the use of draught horses, which were faster and required less pasture than oxen, significantly improved land use efficiency.