When Were Forklifts Invented?

[Clark Boyle]

Hey everyone,

I’m curious about the history of forklifts. When were forklifts first invented, and how did they evolve into the machines we use today? Any insights or historical facts would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Francisco Misajon]

Forklifts were basically invented when someone got tired of carrying heavy stuff and thought, ‘There’s gotta be a better way!’ But officially, they started popping up around the early 1900s, with big advancements happening during World War I when factories needed better ways to move materials. Now we’ve got electric, diesel, and even AI-assisted forklifts—guess we’ve come a long way from just stacking boxes with brute force!

 

[bigBucket]

Yeah, forklifts have definitely come a long way! Early versions showed up in the 1910s, but they really took off in the 1920s and ’30s when factories and warehouses needed better ways to move heavy loads. Then World War II pushed forklift tech even further with the rise of standardized pallets. Now, we’ve got smart forklifts, automation, and even self-driving models that will make you wonder what’s next!