Were There Trucks in 1923?

Yes. By 1923, trucks were a familiar sight in cities and on rural roads across the United States and Europe, used for delivery, construction, agriculture, and lingering military duties. They had evolved significantly from their pre–World War I origins, with gasoline engines, improved suspensions and tires, and a growing industry of specialized body styles and trailers that made road freight practical—if still slower and more limited than rail.

How Trucks Evolved Up to 1923

Commercial trucks emerged in the early 1900s as gasoline engines matured, competing with steam and electric vehicles that had dominated the 1890s. World War I massively accelerated truck development and production, standardizing designs and proving their utility in logistics. In the early 1920s, as paved roads expanded under new public investment, trucks transitioned from niche urban delivery tools to a mainstream part of regional commerce.

What Trucks Looked Like and Could Do in 1923

Trucks of the era typically used gasoline engines with 3- or 4-speed, non-synchromesh gearboxes, rear-wheel drive via shaft or chain, and leaf-spring suspensions. Solid rubber tires remained common on heavy-duty rigs, while pneumatic tires—lighter and faster—spread quickly on light and medium trucks. Enclosed cabs were increasingly standard, though many work trucks still had open cabs. Typical payloads ranged from 1 to 5 tons, with cruising speeds often between 10 and 25 mph depending on load, gearing, and terrain.

Common Features and Technology

The following points outline the technologies and design features that characterized trucks in and around 1923, reflecting both wartime lessons and peacetime refinements.

• Tires: Solid rubber on many heavy trucks; pneumatic tires increasingly common on lighter models for better ride and speed.
• Powertrains: Predominantly gasoline engines; experimental diesel work was underway in Germany, with broader diesel adoption coming later in the 1920s–1930s.
• Drivetrain: Chain drive persisted on some heavy-duty models; shaft drive was standardizing on many others.
• Transmissions: Non-synchromesh manuals requiring double-clutching; typically 3 or 4 forward speeds.
• Brakes: Mechanical drum brakes, usually on the rear axle; air and hydraulic systems would become common later.
• Electrical: Electric starters and lighting were spreading, replacing hand-cranking and acetylene lamps on many models.
• Bodies and uses: Chassis accepted bodies for stake beds, vans, tankers, dump bodies, fire apparatus, and buses.
• Trailers: Early semitrailers and fifth-wheel couplings, pioneered by companies like Fruehauf (founded 1914), enabled heavier loads with tractor–semitrailer setups.
• 4×4 capability: Specialized four-wheel-drive trucks, popularized in WWI (e.g., FWD), continued in construction and military roles.

Taken together, these features made 1923-era trucks robust workhorses—limited in speed and comfort by modern standards, but increasingly versatile and economically viable for short- and medium-haul transport.

Notable Makes and Models Available in 1923

Several manufacturers offered well-known trucks by 1923, spanning light delivery rigs to heavy haulers. The following examples illustrate the breadth of the market rather than a complete catalog.

• Ford Model TT (1917–1927): A widely used 1-ton truck based on the Model T, known for durability and affordability.
• Mack AC “Bulldog” (introduced 1916): A heavy-duty, chain-drive truck whose wartime reputation carried into civilian construction and freight.
• REO Speed Wagon (introduced 1915): A popular light/medium truck noted for higher road speeds and pneumatic tires.
• White Motor Company: Offered medium and heavy trucks for delivery and industry throughout the early 1920s.
• Autocar: Among America’s earliest dedicated truck makers, supplying commercial rigs by the early 1920s.
• International Harvester: Produced a growing lineup of agricultural and commercial trucks in the early 1920s.
• Renault and Berliet (France): Berliet’s CBA (from 1914) was emblematic of robust French trucks still seen in postwar service and commerce.
• Daimler and Benz (Germany): Established truck builders; German makers were among the first to test diesel power in heavy road vehicles around 1923–1924.
• Fiat (Italy) and Leyland/Albion (UK): Produced a range of light-to-heavy commercial trucks across Europe in the period.

These brands illustrate how, by 1923, the truck industry had matured into an international field with specialized models for different payloads and roles.

Where and How Trucks Were Used

In 1923, trucks were integral to last-mile delivery in cities, farm-to-market hauling in rural areas, roadbuilding and construction sites, logging operations, municipal services like fire and sanitation, and bus and coach transport. Rail remained dominant for long-distance freight, but trucking was rapidly carving out regional and time-sensitive niches.

Infrastructure and Regulation Context

The policy and infrastructure environment of the early 1920s shaped how far and how fast trucks could operate, and where they were most economical.

• Federal Aid Road Act of 1916 and the Federal Highway Act of 1921: Injected funding and standards that accelerated paving and improved intercity routes.
• 1919 U.S. Army Transcontinental Motor Convoy: Publicized poor road conditions and spurred momentum for better highways.
• Local weight and size limits: Varied by jurisdiction, constraining axle loads and encouraging development of better brakes, suspensions, and tires.
• Urban traffic rules: Cities experimented with delivery hours, loading zones, and bridge weight limits to manage congestion and safety.

These developments laid the groundwork for the rapid expansion of trucking through the late 1920s and beyond, even before the later Interstate era.

What Changed After 1923

In the latter 1920s and 1930s, diesel engines began to take hold in heavy trucks, air brakes and better hydraulic systems improved stopping power, and synchromesh transmissions eased driving. Advancements in pneumatic tires, shock absorbers, and cab design boosted speed and comfort, while standardized trailers and couplings expanded payloads. By mid-century, trucking had transformed from a short-haul complement to rail into a backbone of national logistics.

Bottom Line

Trucks absolutely existed in 1923—and not just as curiosities. They were established commercial tools with diverse models, growing nationwide road networks to run on, and a clear trajectory of technological improvement that would make motor freight central to modern economies.

Summary

By 1923, trucks were widely used in the U.S. and Europe, having progressed rapidly during and after World War I. Typical models featured gasoline engines, mechanical brakes, and either solid or pneumatic tires, with payloads commonly between 1 and 5 tons. Notable makers included Ford (Model TT), Mack (AC), REO, White, Autocar, International Harvester, Renault, Berliet, Daimler, Benz, Fiat, Leyland, and Albion. Expanding paved roads and evolving regulations supported growth, setting the stage for later innovations—especially diesel power and improved braking—that would propel trucking into a dominant role in freight transport.

What year did they start making trucks?

Trucks were invented in 1896 when Gottlieb Daimler built the world’s first truck, the Daimler Motor-Lastwagen, to carry cargo and replace horse-drawn wagons. This early vehicle was essentially a cart with an engine and featured a belt drive system to power the rear wheels.
 
Here are some additional details about the first truck:

• Inventor: Gottlieb Daimler, a German automotive pioneer. 
• Year: 1896. 
• Purpose: To transport heavy objects, emulating the function of horse-drawn wagons. 
• Design: It was a pragmatic design that looked like a cart with an engine. 
• Engine: A 4-horsepower, 2-cylinder Phoenix engine was located at the rear, connected to the rear axle via a belt drive. 
• Key features: It had helical springs to protect the engine and a chain-driven front axle for steering. 

When did we start using trucks?

Gottlieb Daimler– In 1896, this inventor converted a horse-drawn cart to be fitted with a rear-mounted, four-horsepower, two-cylinder engine he’d designed from a modified passenger car engine — this became the world’s first truck.

Did they have trucks in the 1920s?

Moving into the 1920s, Ford’s truck innovation took a significant step forward with the introduction of the iconic Ford Model T truck. What set this model apart was its adaptability. Sold as a chassis, buyers could customize it to meet their unique needs, making it a versatile choice for various applications.

What year was the first truck invented?

The world’s first truck was invented by Gottlieb Daimler in 1896 in Germany. The vehicle, known as the Daimler Motor-Lastwagen, was essentially a rear-engine hay wagon equipped with an internal combustion engine, designed specifically to carry heavy loads.
 
Key Details about the 1896 Daimler Truck: 

• Inventor: Gottlieb Daimler
• Year: 1896
• Location: Germany
• Appearance: It resembled a hay wagon, with a rear engine and a belt-driven mechanism.
• Purpose: To carry cargo and heavy objects.
• Power: It was powered by a 4-horsepower, two-cylinder engine.