When Was the First Gas-Powered Chainsaw Invented?

The gas-powered chainsaw revolutionized woodcutting in the early 20th century, replacing manual saws and chainsaws powered by electricity or steam. But when was the first gas-powered chainsaw actually invented—and how did it change industries?

A Brief History of Cutting Tools Before Gas Power

Before gas engines, chainsaws were either hand-cranked or tied to stationary motors. The first mechanical chainsaw was patented in 1887 by Swedish inventor Anders Johan Nylén, but it relied on hand cranks and chain drives. These tools were cumbersome and limited to small-scale use.

The shift to power came in the 1920s, when engineers began adapting internal combustion engines to portable cutting devices. Early prototypes used small gasoline engines, but these were noisy, heavy, and unreliable.

The Birth of the Gas-Powered Chainsaw (1920s)

The first true gas-powered chainsaw emerged in 1922 when the company