Mowing has always been one of the human activities involved in maintaining grassed areas. In the past, the main importance of this operation was to provide food for livestock. Grass cutting was carried out using simple hand tools in the form of enlarged knives, which later became the sickle and scythe. With the development of gardening and horticulture, lawns gradually became an important element of garden architecture. This trend was associated with an increase in the demands on the care of lawned areas, which led to the need for the construction and use of mowing machines. The design of the first mower is linked to 1827. The prototype of the spindle mower was designed by the English inventor Edwin Beard Budding for the maintenance of sports fields, parks and gardens. The technology used for the maintenance of grassed areas has undergone significant changes since then. Contemporary mowing machines, often colloquially referred to as 'lawn mowers', are available in a wide range of designs using different types of working gear, drive or travel methods. Currently, the most common types are rotary knife, spindle, blade or drum mowers. 

For mowers with a smaller working width (0.3-0.5 m), the mower deck is driven by electric motors with mains or battery power. For wider working widths (0.4-1.0 m), drive from internal combustion engines is possible, but tractor-mounted mowers are also available. The latest trends in lawn maintenance are towards the use of automatic (robotic) mowers. These machines are designed to minimize operator requirements while meeting the most stringent requirements and safety criteria for working on open turf areas.

Regardless of the category of mower used, the principle that regular mowing has a decisive influence on the quality of the grassland still applies. The result is the sight of a well-kept lawn that pleases almost everyone's eye.