Have you ever wondered how trash gets collected in cities across the United States? The answer is simple—garbage trucks! But how did garbage trucks come to be? Let’s take a look at some of the key moments in the history of the garbage truck in America.
The Early Years (1900s-1930s)
Trash collection as we know it today first began in the early 1900s. At that time, most communities relied on horse-drawn wagons to collect and transport their garbage. These wagons were slow and cumbersome, but they got the job done.
However, with the advent of motorized vehicles, many cities soon switched from using horses to using gasoline-powered garbage trucks. These new “garbage motors” were much faster and more efficient than their horse-drawn predecessors and they quickly became ubiquitous in urban areas.
Another milestone came with the invention of front loader garbage trucks in 1932 by George Dempster & Sons Ltd., a Scotland-based company. This innovation allowed for increased efficiency by allowing workers to load garbage into the truck without having to leave their seats—a major time saver! In addition, these new front loader garbage trucks could carry up to 40 tons of waste at a time—nearly double what a traditional side loader could carry.
Modernization (1960s onwards)
In 1961, McNeilus Companies introduced an automated collection system that allowed for fully automated loading and unloading of waste from landfills and recycling centers. This was another major step towards modernizing trash collection methods, as it eliminated much of the need for manual labor. Since then, many other companies have developed their own automated systems, further improving efficiency and cost savings. Most recently, robotic arm technology has been utilized in some cities to increase accuracy when dumping loads into dumpsters or compactors. This technology allows for precise placement of materials within tight spaces such as alleys or narrow streets without requiring manual labor.
Garbage trucks have been an integral part of American society since their introduction over 100 years ago. From horse-drawn carriages to robotic arms, this industry has seen incredible advances over its long history that have made it easier and more efficient than ever before for cities to manage waste removal on a large scale. The next big advancement will surely be just around the corner! For parents and grandparents looking back fondly on days gone by, it's exciting to see how far this industry has come—and where it's going next!
We made the perfect toy ramp for your kids garbage truck toys. We made a cardboard race track with wide lanes that fits trucks of all sizes. CarBoard is a toy race track, made of 100% recycled corrugated paper and completely produced in America. It is heavy-duty, lightweight, portable, expandable and can be placed on any elevated surface you can think of. Not to mention it’s also easy to set up & put away!
CarBoard provides hours of fast, creative fun. This STEM toy offers all sorts of creative ways to make use of the large tracks. Use CarBoard to race monster trucks, dinosaurs, fruits, you name it you can race it. Put it on the stairs, use it on the sofa, use it on a slide at the playground. What creative ways can you play with CarBoard?
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