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Alexander Winton invents the semi truck
Alexander Winton, in Cleveland, Ohio invented the semi-truck in 1898 and sold his first manufactured semi-truck in 1899. -
truckings rise begins
trucks were starting to become more popular -
shipping by truck becomes grows in popularity
With the advent of the gasoline-powered internal combustion engine, improvements in transmissions, the move away from chain drives to gear drives, and the development of the tractor/semi-trailer combination, shipping by truck gained in popularity. -
first state to introduce weight limits for trucks
the first state weight limits for trucks were introduced -
By 1914 there were almost 100,000 trucks on America's roads
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Roy Chapin invents the air tire
The invention of the air filled rubber tire replacing the solid rubber tire allowed trucks to go faster and farther than before. -
By 1920 there were over a million trucks on America's roads
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trucks are beginning to be extensively used in the military
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By 1933, all states had some form of varying truck weight regulation
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The American Freight Association and the Federation Trucking Associations meet
The American Highway Freight Association and the Federation Trucking Associations of America meet in Chicago to discuss how to satisfy the National Recovery Administration's order to all industries to show how they will comply with the Code of Fair Competition. -
Interstates were starting to be created
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America made the maximum vehicle weight limits for trucks, set at 73,280 pounds
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Trucking becomes more popular
During the 1960s through 1970s trucking becomes more popular due to the interstate highway system -
Trucking gets national attention
during the 1960s and 70s trucking gets national attention with songs and movies about trucking -
By 1970 there were over 18 million trucks on America's roads
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truck drivers strike rising fuel costs crises
Truck drivers participated in widespread strikes against the rising cost of fuel, during the energy crises of 1973 -
the maximum weight limit was raised to 80,000
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1979 energy crises
thousands of independent truck drivers went on strike and participated in violent protests during the 1979 energy crisis -
Minimum weight limit set for trucks
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By 2006 there were over 26 million trucks on America's roads
