Meanwhile , in 1871 the Great Chicago Fire destroyed the McCormick factory . Despite Case 's offer to help McCormick with the manufacturing of their machines , McCormick Company refused the offer and a new facility , called the McCormick Works was built , in southwest Chicago . The McCormick company introduced the first of many twine binder machines in 1881 , leading to the so-called " Harvester Wars " that gained the attention of the farm industry during the 1880s
Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
Case Corporation