I’m doing well to remember to post the explanation of the last “Whatzit”! So, as a reminder, here’s the picture of the “Whatzit”.

Here are some of the guesses.

Reed Says:

Tom,

With a brace of draft horses to pull it and a good man in the driver’s seat, that snow roller would smooth the roads and create paths that would be used all winter.

Bob Carrier Says:

I agree with Reed. In the old days roads were packed instaed of plowed like we have today.

countertop Says:

Yep, Reed and Bob are correct. Actually, in some places (in Vermont at least) they still bring out the rollers on dirt roads as a preferable alternative to scraping (not want to risk messing up the gravel more than it needs to be) though the last one I saw was a steel steam (well, diesel) roller made by caterpillar.

Now, I know many readers knew what this was and didn’t bother to respond and that’s okay. It is in fact a snow roller. The snow in the roads was packed down so that horse and sleigh could travel more easily and actually even after the invention of the automobile roads remained packed. Some autos were equipped with skis on the front and a track mechanism around the rear wheels. I’ll have to search for a photo of one of those.

I was also correct in my original statement that my great-grandfather was known as the one to roll the roads in Andover, Maine.

Thanks to everyone for participating. I hope to have another soon.

Tom Remington

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