History and Evolution of Logistics
We are in the business of logistics. To be a bit more precise, we help anyone importing anything from anywhere in Asia to Europe. We do this with the help of sea freight containers. While this process is extremely simple on 45HC.com this was not always the case.
We explore the history of logistics to give us a better appreciation for what has happened over the years.
Logistics can be defined as the organization of the movement of goods, information and other resources between the point of origin and the point of consumption. Logistics involves the integration of information, inventory, warehousing, packaging, material handling, transportation, and customs.
During our non-academic research, we did not find any information about any documented history of logistics. Therefore, we complied the following dates and timelines based on various information on the web.
The Great Pyramids hold not only a lot of mystery but also a lot of logistics history. The massive material handling technology in pyramid construction around 2700 B.C. when blocks of stone weighing several tons were transported and assembled at the site of construction. This is one of the first true logistics at its best. The amount of work and coordination that was required for this feat is massive.
Many years later around 300 B.C. the world was introduced to the revolutionary Greek rowing vessel. This was the true foundation of international trade. Goods were moved from one place to another using waterways much quicker vs on the road. Also since cities were usually build next to sources of water, it was easier to get and send supplies faster. Imagine the modern-day port and docks and a much smaller scale.
The first sign of procurement logistics was observed in around 700 AD. When materials, and pillars and stone came to Spain from various parts of the Islamic empire.
Around 1200 A.D. the international network known as the Hanseatic League cooperation for transport bundling and international sea transport. It was also the a commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and their market towns.
In the mid-1500s we were introduced to the progressive postal service in Europe. Although in China and other parts of the world like India they did have postal system of various types. This was the first time for definite mail shipping service.
During the 1800s the world built massive roads and rail tracks and connections across far distances creating easier means of logistics transport. Several new inventions were also made in terms of transportation to aid the process.
While no war is never justified, military logistics during the world wars provided concepts for the business world. Large amounts of people, and supplies were moved quickly and effectively during these times. During 1940, innovation kept happening at a much higher pace for power and dominance. Much of the ideas and technology is still used today.
1956 is one of the most important year for the world of logistics. This is when the sea container was invented. The structural evolution of world trade and the massive growth of international flow of goods. Later in around 1970-1980 we noticed, Kanban and just in time logistics concepts with special emphasis on procurement and manufacturing efficiency.
The concept of Supply Chain management from the 1990s took a look at the entire logistics chain from vendors to supplier to the end customer and created efficient systems and rules to encourage trade across nations.
2017: 45HC.com allows anyone to book and ship a container easily and quickly with the click of a few buttons on any internet connected device. Truly, in a world of advancing globalization, efficient logistics is the only way to have a competitive edge if you want your business to thrive.