Charlotte Haye 9th February 2021

HGVs Through The Ages

There is absolutely no question that HGVs are critical in keeping our countries economy moving. They are responsible for transporting goods across the country, as well as in and out from suppliers to businesses and on to customers. Everywhere you look on a modern road, you will see a HGV (and probably many more), moving goods from one place to another, 365 days a year. But it wasn’t always that way. In fact, the HGV is a relatively modern invention in human history, and instead of HGVs motoring along, you would bee smaller vehicles or even horses and carts, transporting goods in small quantities along the one main road that went up and down the country. So how did we get from that, to this?

The 1900s – A Lorry is Born

Back in the early 1900s, being a truck driver was a highly undesirable job. This is mainly because tyres at this time were made of solid rubber, and the journey was rough, bumpy and very uncomfortable for the driver. But around 1912 we saw the invention of pneumatic (or air-filled) tyres, which made the ride for drivers much more comfortable, and made actually driving them pleasant. It also made them faster, which sped up the whole shipping and freighting process. This small innovation was absolutely key in creating the success of the HGV industry we see today.

Another big influence on the success of HGV driving, or ‘trucking’ at this time actually came from America. In 1916, The Seattle Chamber of Commerce held a demonstration, and sponsored a truck and a driver to travel from Seattle to New York. This trip was designed to show manufacturers and merchants across the country that the new highways that were being built, and trucks that were developed, were going to be major influences in the near future. And that if they didn’t get on board, they would be left behind! The trip was a huge success, and took a total of 31 days to complete.

The 1920s – Illumination Impact

While electric headlights were found on cars before the 1920s, they were rarely found on HGVs, and it wasn’t until the 1920s that they became common, and then compulsory. This might not seem like much, but it was a revolution in the haulage industry. Suddenly, HGVs weren’t limited to driving during daylight hours. Now, drivers could travel at night, doubling the progress of any journey and significantly cutting time. This means that the whole delivery and haulage process could be sped up, and businesses could grow more effectively. But with more efficiency came more demand, and haulage companies thankfully kept up with the changes.

Another innovation in the 1920s was the invention of the fifth wheel for HGVs. Now, the wheel had obviously been around for a long time, but an enterprising engineer worked our that if they fitted a fifth wheel, they could radically speed up the process of picking up and dropping off loads from lorry trips. Combined with electric lights, HGVs had never been better equipped or more efficient.

These two changes led to a big spike in demand, and saw more new HGV drivers being hired, and new routes being planned than ever before. Businesses who had seen the success of their competitors were rushing to keep up, and the HGV cemented its importance in the economy of the UK. Coupled with the building of thousands of new roads, there were over 329,000 long-haul HGVs registered in the UK by the 1930s.

The 1950s – Wartime Changes

Of course, the war changed a lot of things in the world and in the UK, and HGVs are no exception. The price of diesel and petrol was already a lot higher than it is today, which made it very expensive for lorries to drive long-haul – especially if they were equipped with refrigeration units, which needed more fuel to keep then running properly. So before 1950, there were a limited number of HGVs on the road doing long-haul runs. But the war changes that. Lorries and HGVs were manufactured at a rapid rate to support the war effort, enabling UK forces to transport equipment and supplies quickly, efficiently and effectively to the troops. In total, over 227,000 new HGVs were manufactured during this time, sending the number of long-haul vehicles absolutely skyrocketing. This demand also led to the birth of many new haulage companies, many of whom are still operating today.

So you see, the HGV has been through a lot to get to where it is today. But now, it’s a vital part of our infrastructure, and they are here to stay! In fact, they are still evolving, so there are even more exciting things on the horizon in the world of haulage. If you would be interested in a career as a HGV driver, we would be more than happy to help you become part of the great adventure. To find out more, just get in touch with us today.

Charlotte Haye

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