In 1912, Henry Wallis started the Wallis Tractor Company in Cleveland, Ohio but soon moved it to Racine, Wisconsin where it was merged with the J.I. Case Plow Works. Wallis tractors were known for their fuel efficiency and U-shaped steel frame. In 1928, Massey-Harris bought the J.I. Case Plow Works Company then sold the Case name back to the J.I. Case Threshing Machine Company. In 1929, the 12-20 was introduced and sold as the Wallis 12-20, Massey-Harris 12-20, and the Certified 12-20. The 12-20 provided the base on which the later Massey-Harris Pacemaker and Challenger tractors were built.