A pallet was originally a type of flat, straw bed. However, the term also applies to flat, wooden structures capable of supporting various items for easily moving and/or storing them. While wooden pallets have been popular sometimes in Wisconsin as a variant – the skid, it is not until the early 20th century that they made strides towards what they are today – an invaluable tool in warehouses and other worksites.
The Evolution of Today’s Pallet
The rise of the wooden pallet ties in closely with technological advancements in various workplace machinery. The creation of the forklift is responsible for a shift in moving items. With the forklift, people found they could transport various goods by placing them on a wooden platform. Stringers unified the boards and provided the forklift with the means of lifting and moving the various goods sitting on the pallet.
Further improvements in 1925 allowed workers to stack the pallets. This improved storage space capacity significantly in warehouses all across America, including those in Wisconsin. Now, companies could stack and store their goods safely, securely and effectively.
In the 1940s, further innovations and discoveries allowed the pallet to evolve, increasing its capabilities, versatility, and appeal. While wood remained the major material for a pallet, alternative materials began to appear. In addition, the arrival of World War II resulted in standardization. Those in charge believed, rightly, it was essential to establish some consistency in pallet sizes. By creating a universal size pallet –48 X 48, people could easily and effectively transport goods from and between the allied countries.
Pallets Today
After the war was over, manufacturing and shipping concerns continued to rely on the forklift-pallet combination to handle, store and ship various goods. Today, the forklifts are more technologically advanced. The pallets are more durable. They are also lighter and far more versatile than their predecessors were. Today, every year, North American companies produce approximately 450 million of them for use.