Conveyor belts began in the latter half of the 17th Century, devised as a way of moving grain sacks over short distances. They worked by allowing a belt made of leather, canvas or rubber to travel over a flat wooden bed.
By the beginning of the 20th Century, their usage and development was more widespread.
In 1908, Hymle Goddard of the Logan Company was the first to receive the patent for the roller conveyor but it did not do well. In 1919, powered and free conveyors were used in automotive production and then in coal mines. In the Second World War, synthetic conveyor belts (PVC and rubber) were introduced. During the second half of the 20th century, engineers perfected internally powered conveyor rollers and motorized pulleys that eliminated costly maintenance procedures.
The conveyor belt rapidly became an integral component of virtually every stage of the retail supply chain. Conveyor belts transport raw materials from the point of extraction. Production assembly lines use them to choreograph and conduct the process of making, assembling and checking goods. Within the retail environment, conveyor belts are essential to delivering a streamlined checkout process. Warehouse and distribution centers rely on them to move stock in and out.
Contribution to Retail History
By merging the mechanization of the conveyor belt with computer control systems, retail distribution center operations around the globe have become faster and more efficient and have been able to achieve huge savings in labour costs.