How Norman Daysh Reshaped Global Dairying

A century has elapsed since a pioneering invention by Norman Daysh, a little-known farmer from Pahiatua, reshaped the landscape of global dairy farming. Daysh’s mechanised vacuum pump milking machine, a product of relentless innovation, was so successful that its core principles, finely tuned by the milking machine company DeLaval, have endured virtually unchanged.

In a commemorative event held at DeLaval’s headquarters in Hamilton, the grandchildren of Norman Daysh, John, and Mary Daysh, were honoured with a plaque marking the centenary of the world’s first commercially successful milking machine. The enduring relevance of Daysh’s invention was underscored by Justin Thompson, DeLaval’s Oceania sales management director, who emphasised that the basic concept had remained remarkably consistent over the past century.

“It’s something that’s stood the test for 100 years and is relatively unchanged,” remarked Thompson, acknowledging the profound and lasting impact of Daysh’s groundbreaking innovation.

Grandson John Daysh expressed pride in his grandfather’s achievements and emphasised the importance of recognising and celebrating such a significant contribution to New Zealand’s agricultural heritage. “I’m certainly proud of my grandfather, and I want people to know about it,” he stated.

Norman Daysh, himself the son of a dairy farmer, grew up milking cows by hand in the late 19th century—an era marked by burgeoning inventions and innovations, including the advent of flying machines and automobiles. Motivated by a keen interest in mechanical devices, Daysh, along with his engineer brother-in-law, embarked on a quest to mechanise the milking process—a pursuit that had seen previous attempts, including those by renowned American inventor Thomas Edison.

John Daysh highlighted the revolutionary nature of his grandfather’s achievement, emphasising that Norman Daysh’s success lay in creating a machine that was not only efficient for the workers but also comfortable for the cows. Over 20 patents were secured for his invention, setting the stage for his journey from Wairarapa to New York in 1913, where the global potential of his machine was recognised by DeLaval.

John Daysh is proud of his grandfather Norman, who invented the world’s first commercially successful milking machine.

The collaboration between Norman Daysh and DeLaval resulted in the fine-tuning of the milking machine, and in 1917, it was unveiled to the world. Norman Daysh even offered a return guarantee on the first 100 machines sold, a testament to his confidence in the product’s efficacy. Remarkably, none of the machines were returned.

Tragically, Daysh’s life was cut short when he succumbed to a heart attack in 1924, at the age of 42, while demonstrating the machine at the Palmerston North Showgrounds. His grandson, John Daysh, acknowledged the transformative impact of his grandfather’s invention on dairy farming, describing it as a “wonderful New Zealand story.”

In a video message, DeLaval chief executive Joakim Rosengren paid tribute to Daysh as a “truly remarkable man who was basing his innovation on vision and most importantly, animal welfare.”

To honour Daysh’s legacy, DeLaval announced the creation of an innovation scholarship, aimed at primary schools, as a means of fostering excitement about the dairy industry among children—an endeavor that aligns with Daysh’s spirit of visionary innovation.