Cargo Transportation Over the Years

In modern society, cargo transportation is one of the most common and handy services available. Who has never had a parcel delivered to his or her door, or hired a large lorry to help them move house? The practice is almost synonymous with the modern age, and has experienced an added boost with the rise of online shopping over the past two decades.

And yet, while this may seem like an eminently modern practice – a by-product of an increasingly industrialized and technological world – it might surprise some to realise that this type of practice has, in some form or another, been around since even earlier than they would venture to think. Below is a brief stroll through the history of this practice, tracing it back from its origins to the modern day.

Once Upon A Time...

Of course, the concept of cargo transportation has been around for as long as there have been items to carry from one place to the other. If one takes this term on face value, the moment the first hominid lugged the first pre-historic beast onto his back was when the concept became a reality. Yet for the sake of clarity, what this article will be discussing is the process of hauling larger amounts of freight, and doing so for a specific purpose and for the benefit of many.

In this regard, one can consider that the first instance of mass cargo transportation took place in ancient Egypt, when the builders of the pyramids commanded a number of boats to bring the necessary stones up the Nile. Until then, there was no real system in place to ensure this type of service; while the transportation of goods was already carried out, this can arguably be considered the first concerted effort towards that goal.

From there, the next instance of cargo transportation that immediately springs to mind is the one dealing with freighter ships. A sort of precursor to the modern-day lorry, these vessels were responsible for bringing goods to and from the world’s major economic ports for centuries, and it would be hard to imagine the world having reached its current state of advancement were it not for their contribution.

It was not until the 18th century or so, however, that the paradigm began to change, with the introduction of the steam engine, among other innovations that made the transportation of goods much quicker. From that point onwards, the progression became much more rapid, as society progressed at a pace unheard of before. Presently, we sit on the cusp of yet another stage in that evolution, as mechanised drones begin to take over the work once done by humans. What does the future hold for goods transportation technology? Only time will tell...

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for cargo transportation work in the express transport industry. Over 2,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.