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Imagine you're driving down a lonely road late at night, and suddenly, your car breaks down. In the present day, help is just a phone call away, but have you ever wondered about the past and the history of towing? The thriving industry that exists today (the North American tow truck market is projected to grow in value to USD 2.35 billion by 2030) didn't spring up overnight. So let's take a look at the origins of the tow truck, how people requested a tow truck in those early days, and how towing has evolved in the United States.
In the early 20th century, there was a man named Ernest Holmes, Sr. who owned an auto repair shop. His business frequently dealt with challenging situations to retrieve cars that had broken down or been involved in an accident. In 1916, after a particularly strenuous tow job using blocks, ropes, and six men to retrieve a Ford Model T from a creek, Holmes was inspired to find a better method. He made a design that same year and then, a few years later in 1919, patented the first tow truck.
Holmes' invention was a rig that could be mounted onto the back of a truck. It had a system of pulleys and hooks to haul broken-down vehicles. This was the beginning of the towing industry as we know it today.
Landline phones were in existence at this time, but, per this article home telephone history, there were 10 people for every working telephone in 1914 but by the end of World War II in 1945, there were five people for every working phone.
So if you broke down in this time period, you had to see if a nearby resident or business would assist you with getting your information to the local tow shop. If they had a phone and the shop had a phone, you'd be in luck. Otherwise, someone would have to run over and let the shop know where you were.
And if you were in a rural area, the same methods applied, although you might have more of a wait for someone to come along who could in turn pass your location onto a two shop. Perhaps your best bet might be to walk to a nearby residence or business to alert someone instead of waiting.
Needless to say, things are a lot easier in the age of smart phones.
From Holmes' initial invention, the tow truck and the towing industry have seen significant innovations and growth. Today, there are integrated tow trucks, hook and chain tow trucks, wheel-lift tow trucks, and flatbed tow trucks, each serving a specific role in the towing ecosystem.
People have been breaking down or getting their vehicles into places they shouldn't be for over a century. Across the country, tow truck drivers carry on Ernest Holmes, Sr.'s legacy of coming to the rescue for drivers in need—like here in Rapid City, South Dakota! If you find yourself in need of towing service in Rapid City and the surrounding areas, give us a call at Rapid Towing. Whether it's a light or medium-duty vehicle, we are on hand to assist with 24-hour towing services that provide the support you need, whenever you need it.
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