The word agriculture was coined in the 15th-century, but the process of cultivating the land to grow food has been in existence for much longer. Early farmers developed crops and livestock mainly to feed their families and local people.
Professor Faber is a retired English professor. He is a self-described coward, whom Montag turns to when he fails to understand the content of the books he's collected. Montag pushes Faber into conspiring with him to create change, although Faber believes they're too late to have any real effect. Montag's actions inspire the professor, however. It is Faber's voice in Montag's ear (via a two-way radio) that allows Montag to cope with Captain Beatty. Faber also reads to Montag through the earpiece, thus allowing Montag to hear and unknowingly retain literature.
When Beatty departs, Montag retrieves some 20 books that he has stolen from alarms over the years and begins to read. Unsure as to what to do next, Montag recalls meeting a retired professor, Faber, a year earlier and discussing with the old man the value of ideas.