History of Forklifts

Forklift trucks have been around for nearly 90 years serving the needs of American industry. The first forklift was introduced by Clark in 1917 and offered for sale in 1918. While these first forklifts looked more like tractors with a platform attachment, they quickly found a place moving equipment in the factory. Over the early 1920’s, the design of the forklift evolved from a tractor with an attachment to a dedicated machine with a vertical lifting mast such as we know today. In the early 20’s several manufacturers arrived on the scene. Yale and Baker both entered the market with electric battery powered machines. In the 1930’s Hyster Company moved from a manufacturer of logging equipment into the world of forklift trucks.

World War II brought a number of additional manufacturers into the forklift business to support the growing need to support the war effort. The US Armed forces needed an increasingly more mobile method of moving materials ie; materials handling to the front lines and the forklift fit the bill. Along with emerging use for wooden pallets, cargo was rapidly transported from US factories to foreign ports using the forklift.

After the war, manufacturing was changing and the needs for more efficient warehousing led to the introduction of the Narrow Aisle Reach truck by Raymond Corporation in the early 1950’s. The Raymond Corporation realized the potential of these machines and entered the marketplace with lines of battery powered warehouse and pallet trucks.

Forklifts continued to evolve through the 1960’s as new technology became available. The late 1960’s saw the first sophisticated electronic controls for electric forklifts and the 1970’s saw further refinements in motor and engine controls. The 1970’s also started the consolidation of several lift truck manufacturers in the marketplace.

(Continued on the next page)