The story of America is fundamentally the story of logistics. Long before the modern supply chain faced multi-year freight recessions or alternative fuel mandates, early trade routes and legacy infrastructure laid the groundwork for a global economic powerhouse.

To celebrate America's 250th anniversary, the crews from TBB, FleetOwner and Fleet Maintenance team up for an epic look at the trucking industry’s deep historical roots and its tech-driven future. From the first horse-drawn wagons that moved goods through the Thirteen Colonies to the 1897 invention of the semi-truck to today’s shift toward alternative powertrains, we’re breaking down how freight moves America.

Plus, we dive into the Right to Repair Act, the multi-year freight recession, and the surprising history of how Henry Ford accidentally invented Kingsford charcoal.

Timestamps:

• 0:57 – Colonial trade routes and the physical evolution of freight
• 3:08 – The 1897 invention of the semi-truck
• 5:57 – 13 diagnostic trouble codes
• 11:00 – NASCAR roots, North Carolina culture
• 13:46 – Eisenhower's interstate vision
• 18:05 – Regulatory shifts, alternative fuels
• 25:19 – The Federal Excise Tax (FET) debate
• 30:44 – The multi-year freight recession
• 35:21 – The Right to Repair Act
• 44:06 – Holiday plans and how Henry Ford invented Kingsford charcoal  

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