Harry Ferguson was born in County Down and was an inventor who is noted for his role in the development of the modern tractor and its three point linkage system. He is also known for being the first person in Ireland to build and fly his own aeroplane, and for developing the first four-wheel drive Formula One car, the Ferguson P99.

Ferguson formed his own motor business in 1911, and during World War 1 began to sell tractors to Irish farmers. In 1933 he designed his own tractor known as The Black Tractor simply because it was painted black. In 1953 he merged his company with the Massey-Harris company, Canada, who made farm equipment. The company, now known as Massey Ferguson Limited, is a multi-national manufacturer of agricultural equipment and remains a major seller around the world.