Podcast: American transportation history: More than 250 years of freight
The story of America is fundamentally the story of logistics. Long before the modern supply chain faced multi-year freight recessions or alternative fuel mandates, early trade routes and legacy infrastructure laid the groundwork for a global economic powerhouse.
To celebrate America's 250th anniversary, the crews from FleetOwner and Fleet Maintenance team up for an epic look at the trucking industry’s deep historical roots and its tech-driven future. From the first horse-drawn wagons that moved goods through the Thirteen Colonies to the 1897 invention of the semi-truck to today’s shift toward alternative powertrains, we’re breaking down how freight moves America.
Plus, we dive into the Right to Repair Act, the multi-year freight recession, and the surprising history of how Henry Ford accidentally invented Kingsford charcoal.
Timestamps:
- 0:57 – Colonial trade routes and the physical evolution of freight
- 3:08 – The 1897 invention of the semi-truck
- 5:57 – 13 diagnostic trouble codes
- 11:00 – NASCAR roots, North Carolina culture
- 13:46 – Eisenhower's interstate vision
- 18:05 – Regulatory shifts, alternative fuels
- 25:19 – The Federal Excise Tax (FET) debate
- 30:44 – The multi-year freight recession
- 35:21 – The Right to Repair Act
- 44:06 – Holiday plans and how Henry Ford invented Kingsford charcoal
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About the Author
Kevin Jones
Editor
Kevin has served as editor-in-chief of Trailer/Body Builders magazine since 2017—just the third editor in the magazine’s 60 years. He is also editorial director for Endeavor Business Media’s Commercial Vehicle group, which includes FleetOwner, Bulk Transporter, Refrigerated Transporter, American Trucker, and Fleet Maintenance magazines and websites.
Working from Beaufort, S.C., Kevin has covered trucking and manufacturing for nearly 20 years. His writing and commentary about the trucking industry and, previously, business and government, has been recognized with numerous state, regional, and national journalism awards.
Josh Fisher
Editor-in-Chief
Editor-in-Chief Josh Fisher has been with FleetOwner since 2017. He covers everything from modern fleet management to operational efficiency, artificial intelligence, autonomous trucking, alternative fuels and powertrains, regulations, and emerging transportation technology. Based in Maryland, he writes the Lane Shift Ahead column about the changing North American transportation landscape.
John Hitch
Editor
John Hitch is the editor-in-chief of Fleet Maintenance, providing maintenance management and technicians with the the latest information on the tools and strategies to keep their fleets' commercial vehicles moving. He is based out of Cleveland, Ohio, and was previously senior editor for FleetOwner. He previously wrote about manufacturing and advanced technology for IndustryWeek and New Equipment Digest.
Jade Brasher
Executive Editor Jade Brasher has covered vocational trucking and fleets since 2018. A graduate of The University of Alabama with a degree in journalism, Jade enjoys telling stories about the people behind the wheel and the intricate processes of the ever-evolving trucking industry.
Lucas Roberto
Lucas Roberto is an Associate Editor for Fleet Maintenance magazine. He has written and produced multimedia content over the past few years and is a newcomer to the commercial vehicle industry. He holds a bachelor's in media production and a master's in communication from High Point University in North Carolina.