Sunday, October 1, 2017
Malcolm P. McLean, the "Father of Containerization"
Malcom McLean is known, or actually unknown, for having reinvented the modern world of global trade. In 1956, this relatively unknown North Carolina trucker invented and patented the first shipping container, an invention that is thought to be one of the top ten most important inventions of the 20th century. A few decades later, McLean’s inventions and methods now transport 90% of the world’s trade cargo. In 1956, it cost $5.86 per ton to load loose cargo onto ships. After McLean, it would cost $0.16 per ton. The International Maritime Hall of Fame named him the “Man of the Century”. Why? Because he saved the shipping industry.
Malcom Purcell McLean was born in 1914 in Maxton, North Carolina. He and his six siblings grew up on their family farm. As a teenager for money, he would haul empty tobacco barrels in an old trailer, and also work at a local gas station in his hometown.
In 1934, a couple years after graduating high school he had saved $120, bought a used truck, and started McLean Trucking Company with his two siblings.
McLean Trucking would haul dirt and produce mainly for other farmers in the community. He scaled the business quickly to several trucks which allowed him to focus on sales and new business. Almost immediately economic hardship hit a bulk of their customers and he was forced to scale down and get behind the wheel and drive truck again.
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