MID 1800s
T R U CK T I M E L I N E
Chuck wagons were invented by Charles Goodnight, an American cattle rancher, who wanted to make the lives of many cattlemen on the prairie easier by feeding them from a wagon, which had every tool to prepare, cook and serve meals. This type of wagon design – which was actually a modified army wagon – quickly made its way to the urban areas of the U.S. around the 1890s. The first hot-dog wagons appeared during the end of the 19th century and were mostly located in front of student dorms or big plants. (ibid)
ANCIENT GREEK TIMES the predecessor of the first push carts date back to the ancient Greek times. These wheeled means of transportation were used by vendors to sell exotic fruits, vegetables and treats to those who were able allow such expenditures (wealthy citizens). It was literally a moving marketplace. This type of sales method was later implemented in thew Roman Empire as well as in the medieval period. (TruckedUpCatering.Com; FTH; Hallman)
1600s and 1700s The so called "pushcarts" served as a mobile restaurant and market, offering seafood, fruits, vegetables and ethnic dishes. The first pushcarts originated in the urban areas of New York City, Chicago and Boston and were brought in by Dutch settlers. These pushcarts were also used to feed the bluecollar workers during lunchtime for a small amount of money. (ibid)
1917 The invention of automobiles pushed the mobile food industry forward as well. The first mobile canteens, which resemble the modern food trucks, appeared during WW1. The re-designed truck-like vehicles were used to warm up the canned food then serve to the troops in Army bases. This idea spread quickly worldwide, even the Vietnamese Army used similar trucks to feed the soldiers during war time. These mobile canteens are considered as the prototype of today’s modern food trucks. (ibid)