The Go-Go Eighties: Catalogs Give Way to Computers It was the early days of the “On-Demand Economy” and the start of a shift in consumer behavior that necessitated a complementary shift in the way goods were distributed. Credit cards were becoming mainstream, the first handheld cellular phone call was made in New York City, and a company called ”Federal Express” made its first overnight package deliveries. As automation began working its way onto factory floors, the sheer number and variety of consumer goods produced around the world skyrocketed, and so did the need for more warehouse space.Īt the same time, advancements in technology, transportation, and communications began to disrupt business as usual.

Manufacturing really hit its stride during the 1960s and early 1970s. The Swinging 60s: Factories Get Their Groove On And throughout the centuries, warehouses grew in size, number, and importance as supply chains stretched around the world. Part I and Part II covered a lot of history in a short amount of time-a whirlwind tour of Ancient Rome, Industrial Britain, America’s expansion and the birth of mechanized manufacturing. While some may see warehouses as gigantic, impersonal structures filled with rows of random goods, we hold a different view: warehouses have been the heartbeat of global trade and commerce for thousands of years and were at the epicenter of the e-commerce revolution that transformed how the world shops. Congratulations! You’ve reached the final installment in our series on the history of warehouses.

History of automation