Sal you have one of the Best channels out here. Driving Semi's all my life and really appreciate the efficiency of logistics and its History. All the Best to you Sir.
My dad was a freind of Malcom Mclean and worked for him as an independent trucker with Mclean trucking. He was the first truck to pick up a "container" at the Packer Ave. Marine terminal in Philadelphia,Pa. Some called them dravos boxes and were shipped with break bulk freight on common freighters until the inception of the intermodal container ship. Containers grew in size to 35 ft. which was the overall lenth restriction due to road sizes in overseas countries like the Phillipines and South America. Over time the size of these containers grew into the current sizes which are uniform world wide. Thank you for coverage of this important milestone in transportation....."Happy Motoring"
Sal I read your book about shipping in Vietnam and really enjoyed it . My family had a friend on the Baton Rouge Victory who was killed in the mine attack and I really never knew much about it . I am a retired truck driver and all this stuff is interesting to me .
I just checked Wikipedia's page on notable North Carolinians and he's not even listed. Plenty of singers, sports ball players etc..but no mention of Malcom McLean. Figures.
Sal, So being a retired East Coast truck driver. Ive heard this story told a few times. And to date your video on this subject is the most accurate of all I've heard over 40+ years. I actually did a book report of sort. Based on this in the early 1970's, after spending a week in the cab of my fathers semi truck on spring break. He was hauling Terex Off Road Trucks from the Hudson, Ohio manufacturering plant down to the port of Norfolk to ship over sea's. And then would grab a container that had bearing parts from Germany to return back to Akron, Ohio. You hit this one out of the park, its very accurate and tells the sad story of how Mr. Mclane tried to create the next great idea in transportation. And the oil imbargo of the 1970's basically killed it.
As a port driver this history is fascinating to me. Us drivers have a lot of time to think and problem solve too.. Are there any stories worth sharing about how the UNIONS adapted or changed when these changes came about? Thanks sal
This guy was a genius. His idea didn't just aim at making life easier for himself and his fellow truckers. It also made it easier for every business that wanted to sell stuff to places far away without having to worry about how the actual logistics work. They could just put their product in a box and hire someone to move the box where it needed to be. Such a simple but efficient invention. People like Malcom are how it is possible to improve worldwide economics over the decades.
Fascinating history. As a kid in the early 70's I would often go work with my dad who owned his own truck and on many occasions we would go to Port Elizabeth and pickup a Sealand container, occasionally we would get a container right off the ship. I always enjoyed those times going to the port and pulling up right besides the massive ships. Your story brings back wonderful memories for me. Thank you.
Sal, would love to hear any insight you may have on the USS George Washington in overhaul for five years and the mental state of the crew. Love your channel and watch all episodes.
Hadn't heard the 'five-fingered-discount' before, but saw it in action on breakbulk ships. Containerships are very efficient, but they screwed up most of the pleasures of seafaring, sadly. My first ship was a containership, Sealand's Asiafreighter (only 32knots). Breakbulk was much more fun.
Very good history of the containers, from the original concept to today. Now, maybe some one will find a "New way" to clear the modern shipping dilemma that we encounter. That would be very helpful.
Totally off the wall, but I'm thinking of the container backlog at ports. How difficult would it be to design a collapsible container that would "flatten" so you could ship or truck say five or six at a time from the ports to the places where they were needed.
Sal, Rance here. I worked my first job at Ingall’s Shipyard in Pascagoula, Ms. 1965. It was there that I was first introduced to SeaLand ships. WW II freighters were cut in half at Mobile Alabama (Alabama Drydock and shop repair. Ingall’s built the new center portion to hold the containers and it was towed to Mobile (short distance) where it was installed in the middle. The ship was towed back to Ingall’s and refurbished to make it seaworthy. Oh, yes all Bunker “C” steam powered. If my memory serves me correctly I think I sea trialed it. There were several ships done this way. I did work on them While they were in the yard.
McLean was a transportation genius his SL7 class were the fastest large commercial ships in the world at the time, one of which I was skipper for a bit, were nothing less than remarkable. Unfortunately as you indicated the increase in fuel prices made them uneconomic.
Great presentation Sal! I can still recall the days when Sea Land was being developed at Port Newark and Port Elizabeth back in the mid 60's. Those ports were built from scratch to accommodate containerization. It was very futuristic back then. McLean was indeed a great man and visionary.
The Truck driver today waiting in a line is thinking "How can we eliminate Government (Corrupt) from regulating and taxing us to death and ruining and crushing new ideas and innovation", Cudos to Mr. McLean, American ingenuity is what excites and spurs us on.
I had a McLean toy truck when I was a kid. I eventually worked as a heavy truck mechanic in my younger days. I discovered your channel and subscribed while following the Everforward saga and find the content very interesting. Thank you for posting these videos.
@@madpete6438 I don't agree with that, it's like comparing a Model T to a Ferrari. I totally agree with McLean paradigm shift. Can't believe other shipping companies didn't see the genius of it.
Stumbled on this. My Grandparents Bill and Vardell Gibson were friends with Malcolm. My grandparents lived in Red Springs where his trucking business was based. Amazing man. BTW, graduated from Campbell in 1987.
Sal, check out New York Central Railroad's development of the piggyback trailer container service. Truck would back up to the Railroad car and then the box body would swing onto the car. Mr. Vanderbilt was a very smart man. Also, J B Hint and Schneider , both men road on Union Pacific and Santa Fe business trains and noticed how trailers took up too much track space when on flatcars. So both men proposed ideas on how to stack containers onto railroad cars.
I always remembered seeing Sea-Land trucks in the 60's - 80's. What a great story, thank you. Sal? Are you heading to the Don Ho Karaoke tonight? I was in Hawaii and Don had that same shirt when he sang :)
Great summary of the beginning of container shipping. I've seen many stories about these initial trial trips using modified tankers. You added to my knowledge on how they were modified and still used as tankers one way. The next part in the history I have heard is a fascinating story on its own but I have never found an explanation. That is the process of establishing the standard sizes for containers and how the sizes changed along the way. I understand now 20 and 40 feet are standard. I had heard years ago that Schneider has a trucking fleet in China as well and uses their 53 foot intermodal containers for dock to dock worldwide service. I know over the road US trailers frequently use 45, 48, and 53 feet with 53; being almost exclusively used now. So in a world that can't agree on anything, how did we end up with the existing container inventory and standards? And then there is the locking mechanism. I've never actually dealt with them but I've had a job where it was a possibility so I've got theoretical training on checking that it is safe to move. There has to have been trial and error and debate before the current system being accepted. There is no way to describe the locks that doesn't conflict with the concept of the word lock. How did they become standard?
I so remember the SeaLand containers. The were all over the west coast and the South West in the early days. I think some got to Kwajalein as they were smaller and fit on the doc better. Had to have a small ship to make port there. The Bear Line out of Oakland was visiting several times a month bringing food and goods. They used the small cube size for shotgun shells, targets and the like. Both civilian and MP had them as small local bunkers. Naturally lots and lots of material got there. 3 unit desal station was there as well as a large Powerhouse. Lots of fuel oil as we were a mid pacific refueling station for the Navy and others. Nice story !
Amazing history on the “Shipping Container “ I wonder if he truly realised what he had done for the world…did he also invent the crain to load and unload the containers and how the container is sealed it has 4 lock handles and a rubber seal: Sydney Australia
In a way, yes. The lowering of transportation costs allowed for producers to shift offshore. But the failure to adopt our laws and regulations also facilitated this and should have offset parts of this.
Sal you have one of the Best channels out here. Driving Semi's all my life and really appreciate the efficiency of logistics and its History. All the Best to you Sir.
Captivating presentment of this man McLean and his visions implemented!
My dad was a freind of Malcom Mclean and worked for him as an independent trucker with Mclean trucking. He was the first truck to pick up a "container" at the Packer Ave. Marine terminal in Philadelphia,Pa. Some called them dravos boxes and were shipped with break bulk freight on common freighters until the inception of the intermodal container ship. Containers grew in size to 35 ft. which was the overall lenth restriction due to road sizes in overseas countries like the Phillipines and South America. Over time the size of these containers grew into the current sizes which are uniform world wide. Thank you for coverage of this important milestone in transportation....."Happy Motoring"
Sal I read your book about shipping in Vietnam and really enjoyed it . My family had a friend on the Baton Rouge Victory who was killed in the mine attack and I really never knew much about it . I am a retired truck driver and all this stuff is interesting to me .
Excellent commentary Sal!!!
And how many school children in North Carolina realize a Tar Heel changed global shipping? A story that needs to be taught.
I just checked Wikipedia's page on notable North Carolinians and he's not even listed. Plenty of singers, sports ball players etc..but no mention of Malcom McLean. Figures.
Thank you - I shared this with a trucking company owner friends - he has 700 trucks
Sal, So being a retired East Coast truck driver. Ive heard this story told a few times. And to date your video on this subject is the most accurate of all I've heard over 40+ years. I actually did a book report of sort. Based on this in the early 1970's, after spending a week in the cab of my fathers semi truck on spring break. He was hauling Terex Off Road Trucks from the Hudson, Ohio manufacturering plant down to the port of Norfolk to ship over sea's. And then would grab a container that had bearing parts from Germany to return back to Akron, Ohio. You hit this one out of the park, its very accurate and tells the sad story of how Mr. Mclane tried to create the next great idea in transportation. And the oil imbargo of the 1970's basically killed it.
Malcom McLean is a Great American Hero ...
Very interesting thanks
As a port driver this history is fascinating to me. Us drivers have a lot of time to think and problem solve too..
Are there any stories worth sharing about how the UNIONS adapted or changed when these changes came about? Thanks sal
Great comment and request!!!
This guy was a genius. His idea didn't just aim at making life easier for himself and his fellow truckers. It also made it easier for every business that wanted to sell stuff to places far away without having to worry about how the actual logistics work. They could just put their product in a box and hire someone to move the box where it needed to be. Such a simple but efficient invention. People like Malcom are how it is possible to improve worldwide economics over the decades.
Fascinating history. As a kid in the early 70's I would often go work with my dad who owned his own truck and on many occasions we would go to Port Elizabeth and pickup a Sealand container, occasionally we would get a container right off the ship. I always enjoyed those times going to the port and pulling up right besides the massive ships. Your story brings back wonderful memories for me. Thank you.
Sal, would love to hear any insight you may have on the USS George Washington in overhaul for five years and the mental state of the crew. Love your channel and watch all episodes.
Doing a video on the Bonhomme Richard Fire and I will be talking about this.
Hadn't heard the 'five-fingered-discount' before, but saw it in action on breakbulk ships. Containerships are very efficient, but they screwed up most of the pleasures of seafaring, sadly. My first ship was a containership, Sealand's Asiafreighter (only 32knots). Breakbulk was much more fun.
Do you mean to state Seatrains "Asiafreighter"
The box that changed the world. SeaLand is technically back. Maersk brought back the name. SeaLand is now Maersk's intra Americas carrier.
Will you discuss Maston and their early containerization? The stevedores etc. were most impressed by the turnaround of these ships.
Worked on SS Summit in 1966/1967. Elizabetb , Jacksonville, San Juan and Bremerhaven, Germany, Rotterdam, Grangemouth, Scotland Jan. - Feb of 1967.
Very good history of the containers, from the original concept to today. Now, maybe some one will find a
"New way" to clear the modern shipping dilemma that we encounter. That would be very helpful.
Totally off the wall, but I'm thinking of the container backlog at ports. How difficult would it be to design a collapsible container that would "flatten" so you could ship or truck say five or six at a time from the ports to the places where they were needed.
@@lizj5740 I believe that there are such containers, as I saw some some-were. Maybe in Europe. However, they are used for very specific products.
Sal, Rance here. I worked my first job at Ingall’s Shipyard in Pascagoula, Ms. 1965. It was there that I was first introduced to SeaLand ships. WW II freighters were cut in half at Mobile Alabama (Alabama Drydock and shop repair. Ingall’s built the new center portion to hold the containers and it was towed to Mobile (short distance) where it was installed in the middle. The ship was towed back to Ingall’s and refurbished to make it seaworthy. Oh, yes all Bunker “C” steam powered. If my memory serves me correctly I think I sea trialed it. There were several ships done this way. I did work on them While they were in the yard.
McLean was a transportation genius his SL7 class were the fastest large commercial ships in the world at the time, one of which I was skipper for a bit, were nothing less than remarkable. Unfortunately as you indicated the increase in fuel prices made them uneconomic.
Thank you @ What is Going on With Shipping? w/Sal Mercogliano. I learned something new about SeaLand
Great presentation Sal! I can still recall the days when Sea Land was being developed at Port Newark and Port Elizabeth back in the mid 60's. Those ports were built from scratch to accommodate containerization. It was very futuristic back then. McLean was indeed a great man and visionary.
Awesome report…! Great American story…. Loved it Sal.
Thank you sir.
Thanks for listening
'five finger discount" HA!
Great story Sal. I remember seeing McLean trucks here in Ohio. I had no idea that he did all of this tho.
Everyone needs to read the book "Box." BTW, my Dad was McLean's lawyer.
Found it on GoodReads: " The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger"
by Marc Levinson.
The Truck driver today waiting in a line is thinking "How can we eliminate Government (Corrupt) from regulating and taxing us to death and ruining and crushing new ideas and innovation", Cudos to Mr. McLean, American ingenuity is what excites and spurs us on.
Government usually gets involved when something's gone wrong because it was unregulated.
I had a McLean toy truck when I was a kid. I eventually worked as a heavy truck mechanic in my younger days. I discovered your channel and subscribed while following the Everforward saga and find the content very interesting. Thank you for posting these videos.
The bane of longshoremen everywhere.
Excellent commentary Sal!!
Excellent commentary Sal!!
Excellent commentary Sal!!
McLean's Ideal X concept was the mid 20th Century equivalent of Musk's Space X Falcon 9 reusable space vehicle.
I wouldn't go that far...
@@ginog5037 Yeah Musks rocket is only iterative.
McClean invented something totally new
@@madpete6438 I don't agree with that, it's like comparing a Model T to a Ferrari. I totally agree with McLean paradigm shift. Can't believe other shipping companies didn't see the genius of it.
GREAT! thanks a lot.
Stumbled on this. My Grandparents Bill and Vardell Gibson were friends with Malcolm. My grandparents lived in Red Springs where his trucking business was based. Amazing man. BTW, graduated from Campbell in 1987.
Sal, check out New York Central Railroad's development of the piggyback trailer container service.
Truck would back up to the Railroad car and then the box body would swing onto the car.
Mr. Vanderbilt was a very smart man.
Also, J B Hint and Schneider , both men road on Union Pacific and Santa Fe business trains and noticed how trailers took up too much track space when on flatcars.
So both men proposed ideas on how to stack containers onto railroad cars.
I always remembered seeing Sea-Land trucks in the 60's - 80's. What a great story, thank you. Sal? Are you heading to the Don Ho Karaoke tonight? I was in Hawaii and Don had that same shirt when he sang :)
Great summary of the beginning of container shipping. I've seen many stories about these initial trial trips using modified tankers. You added to my knowledge on how they were modified and still used as tankers one way.
The next part in the history I have heard is a fascinating story on its own but I have never found an explanation. That is the process of establishing the standard sizes for containers and how the sizes changed along the way.
I understand now 20 and 40 feet are standard. I had heard years ago that Schneider has a trucking fleet in China as well and uses their 53 foot intermodal containers for dock to dock worldwide service.
I know over the road US trailers frequently use 45, 48, and 53 feet with 53; being almost exclusively used now. So in a world that can't agree on anything, how did we end up with the existing container inventory and standards?
And then there is the locking mechanism. I've never actually dealt with them but I've had a job where it was a possibility so I've got theoretical training on checking that it is safe to move. There has to have been trial and error and debate before the current system being accepted. There is no way to describe the locks that doesn't conflict with the concept of the word lock. How did they become standard?
I so remember the SeaLand containers. The were all over the west coast and the South West in the early days. I think some got to Kwajalein as they were smaller and fit on the doc better. Had to have a small ship to make port there. The Bear Line out of Oakland was visiting several times a month bringing food and goods. They used the small cube size for shotgun shells, targets and the like. Both civilian and MP had them as small local bunkers. Naturally lots and lots of material got there. 3 unit desal station was there as well as a large Powerhouse. Lots of fuel oil as we were a mid pacific refueling station for the Navy and others. Nice story !
Amazing history on the “Shipping Container “ I wonder if he truly realised what he had done for the world…did he also invent the crain to load and unload the containers and how the container is sealed it has 4 lock handles and a rubber seal:
Sydney Australia
Good show!
The container must be up there with the greatest of all inventions and, like with many great inventions, people say it's an 'obvious' idea.
Now we use 20, 40, and 45 foot containers-thank you.
Excellent commentary Sal!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Nice history lesson prof.
Thank you.
Great summary of the history. Thanks for posting.
Just genius!
Great show Sal.
Great story thank you for the history lesson
Sal do you think containers was part of killing the US manufacturing?
In a way, yes. The lowering of transportation costs allowed for producers to shift offshore. But the failure to adopt our laws and regulations also facilitated this and should have offset parts of this.
Absolutely fascinating. American ingenuity at its best. Love this history of shipping.
Beautiful, well done
Imagine what loading a bunch of heavy freight up high on a tanker with an empty hull would do with the center of gravity and center of buoyancy....
But back in that day, they would have ballasted the cargo tanks and then just pump it out before arrival.
@@wgowshipping that sounds like my cooking...ewww....
Malcolm Gladwell on Malcom McLean: ruclips.net/video/zIfdIJR309c/видео.html
Surprise, surprise! Truckers having to wait hours and days to unload cargo back in 1956 and before. Nothing has changed since those days.
As retired military, I can tell you we LOVED containers.