Historical Timeline for Material Handling
Article from MHI Solutions Magazine
1850—Sir William Fairbairn patents the Fairbairn steam crane.
1908—Hymie Goddard patents the first roller conveyor, allowing for the smooth transport of goods by means of internal ball bearings.
1913—Henry Ford introduces the moving assembly line.
1919—The automotive industry begins using free and powered conveyor lines, introduced by Jervis B. Webb, to handle mass production in factories.
1920s—Conveyors become the primary means of handling mass‑produced goods.
1930s—Some of the earliest material handling associations are formed, including groups for monorail and caster manufacturers.
