An inventor from the past

By Joan Janzen

Wind mills were a common sight on farms, but there was an elaborate wind mill in the Major area. That’s where James Moscrip and his wife farmed, and it’s where he built his wind mill in the early 1920’s. But according to the history book by the Hearts Hill Historical Society, James was an inventor.

James and Freyda Moscrip - 1946. Photo: From the Hill to the Border

James Moscrip lived in the Major area and built this wind mill in the early 1920s. Photo: From the Hill to the Border

The book From the Hill to the Border notes one of his most significant achievements was the building of a wheat puffer. People from throughout the area would bring their wheat to be ‘puffed’ for a very minimal cost. It helped put food on the table during the hard times and eventually brought down the price of puffed wheat in the stores. He made several puffed wheat machines which were sold around the province.

James was said to be happiest when he was working on a project in his shop. He built several farm implements and even a television, before people owned a TV set. He was also a photographer and developed his own photos. At night his kitchen was transformed into a dark room with developing solution on the counter. His camera was eventually donated to the Western Development Museum.