A Brief History of Lift Trucks
Lift trucks, also known as forklifts, are a crucial part of any warehouse operation or small business with a lot of heavy cargo to transport. Lift trucks are employed in a number of different industries to carry all sorts of items securely. You might wonder where lift trucks came from since they’re such a common sight these days. Here’s a short history of lift trucks so you can learn more about this type of equipment before you buy one for yourself.
Industrial Revolution
As with many types of machines, the lift truck has its origins in the Industrial Revolution of the late 19th century. Because production was scaled up so quickly, fast and safe means of moving materials around a work area became necessary. A manual sack truck was invented, which let workers lift sacks of grain and other heavy items without injuring themselves.
In 1867, a patent for a device that was capable of lifting and transporting materials was granted. This simple machine had a hoist and cantilever platform installed on an upright frame, and it was called a portable elevator. This machine eliminated the need for workers to physically lift objects before moving them; the machine did that for them. A later patent enhanced this design in 1887, but this is where the lift truck would stay for several years.
Electric Power
The railroad industry required quick and efficient transportation for baggage and cargo; four-wheeled baggage carts had existed for several decades, but the Pennsylvania Railroad upgraded this design with a battery, creating the first powered industrial truck. A steel-framed industrial truck came along in 1909, and these trucks became very popular.
In 1913, the hydraulic lift was invented by William T. Harris. This would change everything. Hydraulic lifts began to be installed on steel-framed industrial trucks, creating a lift truck prototype. While this design was not widely produced, the labor shortages created by World War I the next year meant that factories expedited the development of material-handling equipment, including the electric lift truck.
Inter-War Innovation
Finally, the period between the wars allowed for a transition to take place from industrial trucks to lift trucks that featured forks, with Yale creating the first model in 1923. Another company, Clark, created their Duat tractor the next year, which was the world’s first internal combustion forklift. From here, additional developments focused on honing this design and making it more practical and efficient, leading to the durable and convenient lift trucks we have today.
Visit our dealership in Bryan, TX, to view our wide stock of new and used lift trucks for sale. KMC Forklift serves our Lone Star State customers in the cities of Caldwell, College Station, and Hearne, TX.