The paper explores the design characteristics of tillage tools during the period 1900-1950. (Research purpose) The primary objective of the paper is to undertake a retrospective analysis of the design characteristics of tillage tools used on blackened soils in the first half of the 20th century. (Materials and methods) The paper analyzes the stages involved in the creation and improvement of horse-drawn and tractor plows. The findings reveal the following categories of plows: suspended, front, frame, shuttle (balance), and reversible. (Results and discussion) The designs of horse-drawn and early tractor plows are examined. The paper highlights the benefit of balanced and reversible tools such as plowing without the formation of ridges and furrows, attributed to the alternating operation of right-handing and left-handing bodies. It is revealed that the development of wide-cut arable units occurred due to the modernization of frame sections and the possibility of their restructuring into three- and four-hull versions. It is determined that the October Revolution Plant and the All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Mechanization and Electrification of Agriculture (VIME), the predecessor to the Federal National Research Center VIM, were the pioneers behind the creation of the initial five-furrow plow in 1936, boasting a working width of 35 centimeters. (Conclusions) With the advent of wide-cut arable units, there was a reduction in labor intensity and energy consumption during the soil cultivation process. Plows equipped with screw moldboards were commonly employed for more effective incorporation of plant residues.