The History of Shipping Containers
How the shipping container industry grew to become what it is today.
Shipping Containers have become massively popular and creatively utilized over the last few decades. They are so widely used today, that they are practically indispensable.
In 1956 Malcolm McLean was in search of a way to ship his company’s entire truckload of supplies quickly and safely. He purchased Pan Atlantic Tanker Company including all its assets and started experimenting with new ways to load and unload goods from trucks for travel. He eventually invented and patented the first shipping container.
The first ship to carry containers was loaded with 60 boxes and made the trip from Newark to Houston. From that moment on, ships were redesigned for intermodal cargo transportation and the world was changed.
The shipping container industry grew exponentially over the ’70s and ’80s. By the end of the century, it reached the point of shipping approximately 90% of the world’s cargo. This massive growth has not only bolstered other markets around the world but also help facilitate trade between countries as well.
McLean is known as “The Father of Containerization”. Because of his innovation, the industry has evolved to realize amazing breakthroughs. Containers are being utilized and repurposed by both small and large businesses, as well as individuals all over the world. Ports across the world have containers for sale as well as containers for rent. If it were not for McLean’s early “out of the box” mentality, containers may not have become as prevalent in the global market as soon as they did.
At Container Technology we specialize in being at the forefront of the shipping container industry. In an effort to keep container innovation moving forward, we strive to offer the very best sale, rental, and modified containers. Complete an online quote or give us a call at (877) 670-0229. Let us help find a container that is the right fit for you!
Container Technology is a member of the Container Alliance Partnership offering portable storage containers for sale as well as shipping containers for rent across north America, for more information visit Container Alliance.
