History of the Forklift

It’s hard to imagine modern foodservice distribution without forklifts. Every day forklifts and pallet jacks are used to move pallets of goods quickly with less manual handling.

The history of the forklift goes back to the early 1900s. The first forklifts were powered by steam and were big, bulky machines, difficult to use and mainly used in industrial settings. In the 1920s, gasoline-powered forklifts were introduced, which were much easier to use and more maneuverable. In 1924 the Clark Duat became the first internal combustion forklift, with modifications that included a chain hoist system to elevate loads.

During World War II, the need for forklifts increased as supplies and equipment needed to be moved around military bases and factories. After the war, the use of forklifts continued to grow, and new designs and materials were used to make them more efficient and easier to use.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the first electric forklifts were introduced. These were quieter, cleaner, and more efficient than gasoline-powered forklifts. Improvements such as operator cages improved worker safety. Other innovations allowed narrower warehouse aisles and higher reach which allowed for increased storage within the same warehouse footprint.

Today, electric forklifts are widely used throughout foodservice distribution to move goods smoothly and efficiently. While their contribution to modern warehousing and distribution may be largely underappreciated, there's no doubt that they have had a huge impact on the food distribution industry.