Like many other inventions, the forklift was born out of necessity. In 1917, axle manufacturer Clark Corporation built a truck called a tractor to carry materials around the factory. When people visit the factory and see tractors at work, they place orders with Clark to build tractors for their company. A few years later, the first hydraulic powered lifts were added to some trucks to give them lifting capabilities. In 1923, Yale became the first company to use forks to lift cargo from the ground, as well as overhead masts that could extend beyond truck height. The Yale truck is believed to be the first forklift truck [source: MHEDA Journal].
Several developments helped forklifts increase production, including the introduction of standardized pallets in the 1930s and World War II. Both of these developments have increased forklift production and enabled dealers to handle heavy loads efficiently. As forklift usage has increased, so has their usage time. Soon after forklifts became popular, they were designed with 8-hour rechargeable batteries.
In the 1950s, warehouses were expanding up rather than out, so forklifts were designed to lift loads up to 50 feet (15.2 meters), which is higher than ever before. As the load height increased, the forklift had certain safety measures in place during this period, including a cage for the driver to keep them from dropping materials, and a backrest to help keep the load in place while lifting the load. More safety measures were introduced in the 1980s, including operator safety restraints and the development of forklift balancing technology.
