The chainsaw is a portable, mechanical saw which cuts logs or tree branches. The chainsaw has a long history, and was developed to fulfill a need for a reliable, portable and powerful saw. In the 1760s, it was first used to cut trees, as a tool to improve logging efficiency. In 1806, a German inventor invented the first modern chainsaw, which was powered by a steam engine. In the 1950s, a new chainsaw powered by a gasoline engine was developed. In the United States, chainsaw is often used in the lumber industry, cattle ranching and for firewood.