You know your forklift as an integral part of your facility, performing tasks and keeping products and materials moving. You probably don’t give your forklifts a second thought beyond operating them safely (of course) and keeping your business moving forward.
But the forklift actually has a rich history and played a large role in the American industrial revolution.
The origin of forklift technology dates back to 1906 when the Pennsylvania Railroad implemented a battery-operated platform luggage mover.
When WWI broke out, many men were called to serve their country, and left their jobs in factories and warehouses to do so. These men had to be replaced and a handful of companies recognized the opportunity and began developing lift trucks.
While electric cars are just now becoming more visible, forklift manufacturers embraced electric power as far back as the 1930’s, which is also about the same time “riding” forklifts with seats and cabs for operators began appearing in warehouses. These advancements in the technology, plus the beginning of WWII and another drain on manpower led to massive growth in the demand for forklifts.
As factories and warehouses began growing upward rather than outward, a forklift became a necessity in the 1950’s and ‘60’s, but the demand grew faster than the industry may have been ready for. Forklifts got bigger and more powerful, and safety regulations fell behind. It wasn’t until the ‘60’s that roll cages, seat belts and certifications became required to own and operate a forklift.
By the 1980’s, forklift manufacturers focused on operator comfort and began developing more environmentally-friendly lifts. Flash-forward to today and emissions have been cut in half, or eliminated by battery technology and other improvements that could only have been a dream when the Pennsylvania Railroad was moving luggage around 110 years ago.
So the next time you climb on board that forklift of yours, give a thought to the role that machine has played in American history.
And of course, give us a call if you have any questions about your own forklift, or if you want to be a part in the next phase of forklift history by getting one of your own. Our experts can help you whatever your needs are.