So who would have thought that UPS started out using Model T trucks??



Since most individuals did not own telephones in the early 1900s, telegraph messages were carried to homes by hand. In 1907, this fact prompted Jim Casey to establish a bicycle delivery service known as American Messenger Co. in Seattle, Washington, to deliver both telegraph messages and lunches. Six years later, Casey agreed to join forces with a rival business, Merchants Parcel Delivery, and he began focusing on delivering packages for retailers. The newly merged firm, which used the Merchants Parcel name, bought a Ford Model T to speed deliveries and broaden its range. By then, the U.S. Postal Service had started to deliver packages as well, creating increased competition for delivery services like Merchants Parcel. In 1918, three department stores in Seattle contracted Merchants Parcel to make deliveries to their customers on the same day they made their purchases, and the little company employed more than twenty delivery workers. Service to department stores accounted for the bulk of the firm's revenues over the next three decades. During this time, Merchants Parcel developed its consolidated delivery strategy, which called for organizing deliveries so that packages going to one area were all given to the same delivery person.

Read more: Inc. (UPS) United Parcel Service - Early History - Delivery, Air, Firm, Packages, Services, and Merchants http://ecommerce.hostip.info/pages/1025/United-Parcel-Service-Inc-UPS-EARLY-HISTORY.html#ixzz19W8qjeA9

I wonder if they painted them that same distinctive shade of brown?
Norm

Hi Jay
Thanks for posting that UPS article. I was always under the impression the first UPS T was a 1913 having seen a beautifully restored No 1
1913 at various Founders Day functions and open houses over the years. Somewhere in our boxes of old photo's I have pictures of my kids (now in their 40's) sitting behind the wheel of the UPS
No 1 1913 Model T delivery truck. To the best of my knowledge they were always painted UPS Brown even back then. I can't help what wonder what year the T's in the article are ? I also have a collection of UPS diecast trucks which begin with the 1913. I've been retired since 03 but spent the previous 38 yrs as a Buster Brown Thanks again.-Dick

From Wikipedia:

"1930: A consolidated service begins in New York City, and began operations soon after in other major cities in the East and the Midwest. First mechanical system for package sorting. Accountant George D. Smith joins the company. The name United Parcel Service is adopted all over the country. All UPS vehicles are then painted the familiar Pullman brown, chosen because it was considered neat, dignified, and professional. Headquarters move to New York City."

An interesting note is the company purchased it's first car in 1913 and it was a T.

Where did you guys get the idea that they had Model Ts?

The photo caption says it's a Forty Ford!

Pfftttttt!

Bob;
If you read the caption on the picture, it says one of the forty Fords, meaning there was 40 of the trucks.

I worked for a guy in St. Paul who's father was a UPS driver at the time.
We had a framed picture of him standing by a model T UPS truck.
After he retired he would hang around the shop a lot and tell us stories about driving for UPS.
He said the picture was taken on a UPS anniversary when since he was the longest employed driver for UPS in that area they had him drive the T around ST. Paul and Minneapolis for two weeks.
In the twenties he had driven the T delivery trucks for several years.
It was that brown.

Help get out the goods in "JIG" time????

Huh?

Here, read this:

http://www.ups.com/content/corp/about/history/1929.html

UPS obtained it's first Model T in 1913

Jerry, you mean you have never heard the term "Jig Time"? It was quite common at one time. It refers to the dance" Jig', which was a fast timed one person dance similar to fast tap dancing.

About 45 years ago, I knew a fellow that had an original 1925 model T UPS truck that he had recently restored. Having verified the trucks historic past, UPS supplied the paint for it, but only just enough to do the one truck. When he was done, they verified that the painting was completed and that no extra paint was left that could be used to paint a fraudulent (modern?) truck. He moved out of Califunny about 20 years ago. Smart fellow. Last I heard, he still has that truck as well as a beautiful 1910 touring.
Happy New Year! And drive carefully, W2

I see they were "Throwing" packages, even back then.

I believe they have a TT UPS truck in the Peterson Museum. It's been a few years since I've been there so.....

Found a Photo of it. The internet is a wonderful thing if used for good!

http://www.remarkablecars.com/for-sale/petersen-automotive-museum/p9080-1923-for d-model-tt-ups-delivery-truck.html

Hey Bob Robb, I think the Forty Ford was replaced by the Ford Lately (have you driven one?)