| A Peterbilt Truck owner. Proud. Loyal. Hardworking. | | | | were others like Fageol, which became bankrupt. |
| Determined. With Peterbilt owners, it's evident in | | | | Fageol was soon brought by T.A. Peterman, a logger |
| everything they do, right down to the care, attention | | | | and plywood manufacturer from Tacoma, |
| and semi truck accessories they add into and outside | | | | Washington. His lumber business was registering a |
| their trucks. | | | | phenomenal growth and hence he was looking for |
| The red oval logo bearing the name 'Peterbilt' in | | | | creating custom chain drive logging trucks. Fageol was |
| cursive handwriting might not be of much significance | | | | later re-christened as the company chairman. |
| to a man on the street. But the same logo for a | | | | Peterman concentrated on quality rather than |
| truck lover symbolizes premium quality trucks, a | | | | quantity. When rivals like Ford were coming out with |
| penchant for coming up with something new and | | | | 100 trucks a day, Peterbilt was rolling just 100 trucks |
| going at lengths for giving the customers an out of | | | | a year. Soon it etched a special place in the hearts of |
| the world experience, even if it means sending | | | | truck lovers. |
| engineers onto the field. Well, we are referring to | | | | Peterbilt was one of the first companies that sent |
| Peterbilt, a renowned name in the world of | | | | out its engineers to get a first hand experience of |
| heavy-duty truck manufacturers. | | | | the problems faced by truckers and make |
| However, a sneak peek at the history of Peterbilt | | | | appropriate modifications from the field. This further |
| reveals that it has not been a walk in the clouds for | | | | enabled Peterbilt to climb up the loyalty charts with |
| this legendary truck manufacturer. In fact, unlike cars, | | | | trucking companies and individual semi truck owner |
| motor trucks never had a smooth start. During the | | | | operators. |
| early 1900s, railroads were used for carrying goods | | | | The death of Peterman in 1945 saw the ownership |
| cross-country. Similarly, rivers, canals and horses were | | | | passing into the hands of his widow, Ida. She sold the |
| other popular means of transportation. In addition, | | | | assets to the employees of Peterbilt, but not the |
| the lack of motor- ready roads meant that there | | | | land. Later in 1958, she announced her plans of |
| were few takers for motor trucks. | | | | building a shopping center on the plant site. This put |
| However, the onset of First World War proved to a | | | | the new owners into quandary. To avoid the |
| blessing in disguise for motor trucks. Railroads were | | | | possibility of large and long-term debt, the company |
| proving insufficient for the transportation of food, | | | | was put up for sale. It was later acquired by Pacific |
| war supplies and other material. This meant that | | | | Car and Foundry, which owned Kenworth trucks. |
| more and more trucks were pressed into service by | | | | Later, it went on to come up with many innovative |
| the government. The government also took steps to | | | | strategies, like using aluminum to reduce cab and |
| build highways and quality roads. By the time the war, | | | | chassis weight and increasing payload capacity, |
| ended, motor trucks had cemented their place as an | | | | manufacturing trucks for use in transporting refuse, |
| important means of transportation. | | | | introducing right-hand stand-up drive capabilities etc. |
| The growth juggernaut continued rolling well after | | | | Peterbilt still continues to mesmerize truck lovers with |
| the First World War. However, the Great Depression | | | | constant innovations and practical approach to truck |
| brought mixed baggage for truck manufacturers. | | | | manufacturing. |
| While some brands were registering growth, there | | | | |