1st transcontinental truck delivery happened 110 years ago

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Over-the-road truck driving can be a challenging career, but today’s modern comforts adapted for trucks make long-haul trips much less taxing. Further, this type of trucking is now an essential part of the U.S. economy, but 110 years ago, it was just beginning — and comfortable travel was virtually nonexistent.

On Sept. 20, 1912, a group of drivers from the Charles W. Young company arrived at San Francisco City Hall, completing what is believed to be the first transcontinental delivery by truck. It goes without saying that the journey was drastically different from a trip across the country today.

The feat took place during the rise in popularity of motor-operated vehicles, and the Teamsters’ general president at the time, Dan Tobin, correctly surmised that this technology was not just a fad, according to Teamster.org. So he set to work organizing a group of drivers and pressuring horse-and-wagon companies to train drivers for motor trucks. These drivers would be the start of what Tobin hoped would be a motorized truck delivery market.

The start of motor truck shipping

Charles W. Young drivers, who were also Teamsters, set out from Philadelphia toward California on a truck from American Locomotive Co. They knew they were making history, evidenced by signage on the side of the truck that read, “first transcontinental delivery of merchandise by motor truck.” As they left, Philadelphia held a large parade. Their cargo was 3 tons of olive oil soap, according to Teamsters’ website.

It took the drivers 91 days to complete their trip, with no established roads, gas stations or bathrooms for most of the passage. The truck was bare bones, with much less than comfortable seating, no shocks and no windows as such, meaning no protection from the elements. Plus the trip was riddled with breakdowns and disruptions.

Four years later, the Teamsters organized another delivery, this one for Carnation Milk, from New York to Seattle. But it took only 30 days, despite mileage for the two journeys being extremely close by today’s road measurements. It symbolized growing improvement and innovation in automobiles and the shipping industry.

To celebrate the 1916 trip’s 50th anniversary, Teamsters took the same route, but this time completed it in just six days.

The motor truck replaced the horse-and-wagon industry, but the Teamsters felt it imperative to keep the symbol of the horse as part of its organization since it began on the animal’s backs. Today, horses remain part of the Teamsters logo.

FreightWaves Classics articles look at various aspects of the transportation industry’s history. If there are topics that you think would be of interest, please send them to fwclassics@freightwaves.com

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Source: freightwaves - 1st transcontinental truck delivery happened 110 years ago
Editor: Brielle Jaekel