In this blog articlewe are going to embark on an exciting journey through time to discover the history of the truck and how technical regulation has shaped the stowage of goods over the years. Get ready to learn about the evolution of this important mode of transport and its impact on cargo safety.
Imagine a world where goods were mainly transported in animal-drawn carts. It was in 1769 that the first truck in history appeared, the "Fardier à vapeur" or "steam carriage" invented by Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot, a visionary French engineer. This vehicle, powered by the novel technology of the steam engine, had the audacious purpose of transporting heavy loads in wartime. Despite its limitations, it marked the beginning of the mechanization of road transport.
A century later, in 1896, the German engineer Gottlieb Daimler took a major step forward by inventing the first truck with a combustion engine. This milestone in the history of transport enabled the birth of the Road Transport sector and paved the way for technical and legal developments in freight transport.
Until the advent of the truck, bodybuilders were craftsmen specialized in the creation of customized carts and wagons. However, with the emergence of truck manufacturers, an unexpected challenge arose. Although they could mass produce the engine and cab portion, the rear bodywork had so many variants that it needed to be customized. This led to stowage techniques similar to those used in traditional animal transport, such as ropes, timber blocking, tarpaulins and nets.
After World War II, transportation experienced a great advance in truck power and size, which led to the need for regulation. In the 1950s, important international regulations emerged, such as the CMR Convention and the ADR Agreement, which regulate road transport and the international transport of dangerous goods.
The 1970s marked a major evolution in stowage techniques. With more modern trucks, palletizing on the rise and the proliferation of forklifts and sea containers, new tools such as lashing straps, corner protectors and anti-slip devices appeared. In addition, the discipline of "Cargo Safety" emerged, which technically regulated the stowage and safety in the transportation of goods.
In the 1980s, guides and regulations were published that democratized Load Safety, making this discipline more accessible. Consensus formulas and parameters were established for the calculation of lashing, blocking and load containment.
In 2014, the European Union implemented Directive 2014/47 EU, which establishes technical standards to ensure safe cargo stowage. This led to the transposition of certain regulations in the member states, such as EN 12195-1, EN 12642 and others, which ensure safe transportation of goods.
From the first trucks to today's technical regulations, the history of the truck and cargo stowage has been a fascinating journey. Today, cargo safety is critical to ensure safe transportation for people, goods and vehicles. We will continue to explore and apply best practices in stowage to ensure a safe future in freight transportation. Follow us on our social networks to learn more!
