In the world of trucking, there is a lot of jargon that may confuse an outsider. For instance, the term semi-truck is pretty common, but some people might wonder why it is called a \"semi\". But even more confusing to non-truckers is the term “tractor” which is commonly used to refer to the front part of the semi-truck. How did the front of a semi-truck become synonymous with farming equipment? The answer lies in the history of transportation in America.
The Origins of the Tractor Trailer
The first motor truck was made in 1899 and was an open vehicle without a top or sides. However, by the 1920s, cargo began to be transported using trailers attached to motor vehicles. These trailers were pulled by modified automobiles or trucks that had engines powerful enough to handle the weight being carried. These early motor-trucks were often referred to as “tractor-trailers” because they were designed to haul large loads, much like a tractor would, whereas the trailer followed behind, much like a plow or a wagon.
The Evolution of the Tractor-Trailer
As road infrastructure improved and regulations began to be put in place, the design of the tractor-trailer, or semi-truck, started to evolve. In the 1930s, semi-trucks began to resemble the modern version we know today, with a distinctive cab in the front that accommodated the driver, and an engine that was powerful enough to haul heavy loads. The trailer that followed the cab was usually detachable, so the cab could be used to pull a different trailer, depending on the cargo.
The Modern Semi-Truck
By the 1950s, the tractor became much more reliable and powerful, and it started to lose the “trailer” part of its name. The trailer was still an important part of the semi-truck, but it was clear that the cab was the most powerful and crucial part of the vehicle. The term semi-trailer, often shortened to semi, became the more popular name for this vehicle in the United States. In the rest of the world, the vehicle is more commonly referred to as an articulated lorry or artic, with the cab being called the “tractor” and the trailer often referred to as “the trailer” or simply “the rig”.
Conclusion
So, why is a semi-truck called a tractor? The term traces its origins back to the early days of transportation in America when vehicles were pulled by tractors and plows, much like a tractor pulls a plow in a field. As the design of the tractor-trailer became more refined, the cab in front of the trailer began to resemble a tractor, leading to the term “tractor-trailer”. Over time, the “trailer” part of the name was dropped, and the vehicle we know today became simply a semi-truck or “semi” for short. It’s fascinating to think that the name for this vehicle has evolved over more than a century, and its origins can be traced back to the most basic form of transportation there is.