Driver Logistics history

The most well-known and influential trucking union soon followed after, the Teamster National Union, later changed to the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in 1902.

In 1912, Teamster drivers made the first transcontinental delivery, leaving Philadelphia and driving to Petaluma, California arriving 91 days later.

Otto Neumann and August Fruehauf invent the semi-trailer, and in 1915 Charles Martin created the first fifth wheel, meaning you could now quickly hitch and unhitch semis to trailers.

Most experts believe that Luella Bates is the first woman truck driver (1918) and the first woman licensed to drive in the state of New York.

Lastly, in 1920 pneumatic air-filled tires were invented, meaning less damage to goods being transported, and faster, smoother deliveries.

Along with her husband, she founded a trucking company in 1928.

Drennan is believed to be the first commercially licensed female truck driver (1929) and owner of a trucking company.

In 1933, the American Trucking Association was formed to "develop, advocate, and advance" the interests of truckers.

Rusty Dow was the first woman who was a truck driver for the United States Army Engineers/Alaska Defense Command during World War II. In 1944, she drove a full loaded truck the entire length of the Alaska highway (1,560 miles) in seven days.

When they divorced, she became the sole owner of the trucking company she continued to run until 1952.

Songs like 'Truck Drivin' Man' released in 1954 were seen as "a tribute to the triumphs, hardships, work ethic, and free spirit that defined the American Trucker" (Stacker.com). In the years following, 'Truck Drivin' Man' soon put the Truck Driver as an American icon.

By 1980, the second Motor Carrier Act was put in place, which deregulated the trucking industry.