Truck
Motor vehicle designed to transport cargo

A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed primarily to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile. Commercial trucks can be very large and powerful and may be configured to mount specialized equipment, such as in the case of fire trucks, concrete mixers, and suction excavators.
History[edit | edit source]

The history of trucks dates back to the late 19th century. The first motor truck was built in 1896 by the Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft. This early truck was powered by a two-cylinder engine and had a belt drive with two forward speeds and one reverse.
In the early 20th century, trucks began to be used more widely. The 1903 Eldridge truck was one of the early models that contributed to the development of the trucking industry. By the 1920s, trucks had become a vital part of the transportation industry.

Steam-powered trucks, such as the 1924 Super Sentinel, were also used during this period, although they were eventually replaced by more efficient internal combustion engines.
Types of Trucks[edit | edit source]
Trucks are classified into several categories based on their size and function:
Light Trucks[edit | edit source]
Light trucks are smaller and include vehicles such as pickup trucks and vans. They are often used for personal transport and small business deliveries.
Medium Trucks[edit | edit source]
Medium trucks are larger than light trucks and are used for local delivery and service purposes. Examples include the Freightliner M2 106.
Heavy Trucks[edit | edit source]
Heavy trucks are the largest on-road vehicles and are used for long-haul transportation. They include tractor units and semi-trailers.
Electric and Alternative Fuel Trucks[edit | edit source]

Electric trucks have been around since the early 20th century, with models like the 1911 Walker Electric Truck. Today, there is a renewed interest in electric trucks due to environmental concerns and advancements in battery technology.

Modern electric trucks, such as the Ford F-150 Lightning, offer zero emissions and are becoming increasingly popular.
Notable Historical Trucks[edit | edit source]

Several trucks have played significant roles in the development of the trucking industry:
- The 1896 Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft truck was the first motor truck.
- The 1903 Eldridge truck was an early model that helped establish the industry.
- The 1924 Super Sentinel was a notable steam-powered truck.
- The 1911 Walker Electric Truck was an early electric vehicle.
Modern Developments[edit | edit source]
Modern trucks are equipped with advanced technology, including diesel engines, automatic transmissions, and sophisticated safety systems. The Foden Diesel Truck is an example of a modern diesel-powered vehicle.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD