Final answer:
The plow that allowed efficient cultivation of the tall grass prairie was improved by James Oliver with his 'chilled plow,' although John Deere had earlier introduced a steel-faced plow. Cyrus McCormick's mechanical reaper also advanced prairie agriculture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The invention of the plow that allowed farmers to cultivate the tall grass prairie is attributed to John Deere, who sold a steel-faced plow as early as 1838. However, it was James Oliver's improvements to the plow in the late 1860s that made a substantial impact on farming the Midwestern terrain. His less expensive 'chilled plow' was better suited for cutting through the shallow grass roots and resistant to damage from rocks, revolutionizing agriculture for homesteaders. Additionally, Cyrus McCormick's innovations in farming equipment, including the mechanical reaper, further opened the prairies to successful cultivation.
Advancements in agricultural technology, such as crop rotation, the development of heavy plows, the use of draft horses, and irrigation, reflect humanity's enduring endeavor to improve cultivation practices from the earliest simple tools to more efficient modern machinery. These innovations allowed one family to grow enough crops to feed themselves and others, leading to the transition from a nomadic lifestyle to settled farming.