Location: Rural Adelaide
In 1843 an enterprising South Australian by the name of John Ridley created the world’s first mechanical grain harvester — a machine capable of harvesting grain faster than ever before. Called the ‘Ridley Stripper’, it was horse-drawn and although it couldn’t strip the grain from the chaff, it saved a great deal of time. By 1880, improved Ridley Strippers were produced in Adelaide and used throughout Australia and the world. The suburb of Ridleyton was named in his honour.
![The Ridley Stripper, invented in Adelaide by John Ridley.](http://www.awesomeadelaide.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Awesome_Adelaide_Urban_Exploring_Grainium_Ridley_Stripper.jpg)
By 1883, thanks to his invention, South Australia was producing sufficient grain for wheat to be exported to England and around the world. Grain silos were mass-built and Australia’s grain industry was born.
A large proportion of these grain silos still function today however a few have been left disused and abandoned. Not many of us get to see inside these towering structures. A silo we’ll call ‘Grainium’ kindly allowed us access…