Conveyor systems have been an integral part of material handling for over 100 years, and their origins can be traced back even further than that. Transport of bulk materials by conveyor belts dates back to around 1795, although the vast majority of these early iterations were used to move grains over very short distances.
Did you know?
- The first conveyor belts were made out of a leather or canvas belt traveling over a flat wooden bed
- Today, the longest conveyor belt in the world is used in the phosphate mines of Western Sahara and measures 60 miles long.
- During World War II, manufacturers created synthetic materials to make belting because of the scarcity of natural components.
Find out more about the history of conveyors below:
In the last 100 years there have been significant advances in material handling conveyors, and advances in technology in the next coming years will continue to change our systems.
Conveyers have increased efficiency and reduced waste in warehouses in unprecedented ways thorughout the years. Download our whitepaper on how you can reduce further waste in your facility today.
