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American Truck Historical Society American Truck Historical Society

American Truck Historical Society

American Truck Historical Society

American Truck Historical Society American Truck Historical Society

American Truck Historical Society

American Truck Historical Society

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American Truck Historical Society > Mack Brothers

In the early 1900s, Automotive technology had not yet developed to meet the needs of commercial carriers. America’s intercity freight was moved by rail, while intracity freight was carried by horse-drawn wagons. Music and literature based on rail travel and work were prevalent, and products were just a mail-order away.

Today, trucks have replaced horses and rail as the center of American logistics. Just as wagon freighting and railroading once influenced culture, so too does trucking today. And at the center of this subculture lies Mack. From its iconic placement in Disney’s “Cars” franchise to the popularization of the idiom “Built like a Mack truck,” its influence cannot be understated.

All this is thanks to the Mack brothers - their determination and teamwork – that helped to pioneer an industry and create a manufacturing enterprise that has produced thousands of trucks.
The Brothers 1 John “Jack” Mack John “Jack” Mack was born on October 27, 1864. Quite early in life, he displayed an independent spirit and love of challenges which, combined with his passion for machinery, would propel him into the ranks of America’s honored automotive pioneers.

Jack left home at 14 and obtained his first job driving a mule cart for a construction group working on the Erie and Wyoming Valley Railroad. However, it was not long before his interest in machinery caused him to branch out. He worked a variety of engineering jobs until 1890 when he joined his brother Gus at the Fallesen and Berry Company as a stationary steam engineer. Jack’s vast experience led to a mastery of every machine in the building after several months.
Click Here
The Brothers 2 Augustus “Gus" Mack Augustus “Gus” Mack was born on July 14, 1873. He attended rural schools as well as a business school in Scranton, Pennsylvania. After a short job in a Pennsylvania flour mill, he moved to New York City and obtained a clerical job for Fallesen and Barry, which the brothers would later acquire.

It was here that his business acumen and interest in science and invention would help found the Mack brothers’ future enterprise.
Mack Trucks In 1893, the owners of Fallesen and Berry retired and sold the company to Jack and Gus. However, the next year, America went through a liquidity crisis where the payments of debts were demanded in gold; loans were called due, and credit was restricted. The brothers quickly realized a reorganization of the company was needed, with their brother William being prevailed upon to add his talents to the venture. The brothers quickly built up their reputation, with a heavy focus on repairs due to the financial crisis. Click Here Mack Trucks 2 In 1897, the brothers decided to move the company closer to the heart of the Brooklyn business area and established an association with Alexander Campbell, A pioneer in the retail dairy business. This move produced steady growth, so the brothers decided to incorporate and filed a Certificate of Incorporation under the name the Mack Brothers Company on July 26, 1901.

Due to the increase in business, the brothers moved the company to Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1905.
Click Here When the Mack brothers started their company, the automotive industry was still in its infancy. But Jack Mack had a vision – to produce the most durable and powerful heavy-duty trucks and engines in the world. The designs and products that he and his brothers created initiated a history of truck development unparalleled in the industry, and established a company whose reputation for tough, high-quality products has since become ‘part of the language.’

The following are just two of the innovations that the Mack brothers designed and patented but had a far-reaching impact on the development of the trucking industry.
Innovation-Gus Jack Mack's Innovation Gus Mack patented a constant mesh feature that protected gears from being damaged or stripped due to inexperienced drivers. Read the Patent Here Innovation-Jack Jack Mack patented the selective feature that allowed drivers to immediately shift from high to low, and vice versa, without going through intermediate speeds. Read the Patent Here
THE MACK BROTHERS Introduction The Brothers Mack Trucks Innovations

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  • January 2023

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2 events, 21

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

ATHS Northern California Chapter Monthly Meeting

January 21 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm PST

ATHS Northern California Chapter Monthly Meeting

ATHS Northern California Chapter Monthly Meeting Lunch at 1:00 pm, Meeting at 2:00 pm at Becca's Cafe, 2083  Balls Ferry Rd., Anderson, CA Contact Bill Irvin at 530-624-0148

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1 event, 22

2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

ATHS Nutmeg Chapter Meeting

January 22 @ 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm EST

ATHS Nutmeg Chapter Meeting

ATHS Nutmeg Chapter Meeting January 22, 2023 Foskett Equipment, 151 Peake Brook Rd., Woodstock, CT 06281 Business meeting begins at 2:00 PM Members are invited to bring snacks or a...

2 events, 23

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

ATHS Greater Cincinnati Chapter Truck Show

January 23 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EST

ATHS Greater Cincinnati Chapter Truck Show

ATHS Greater Cincinnati Chapter Truck Show May 20, 2023 696 Hanthorn Rd, Lima OH 45804 Contact: Mark 419-305-6899 or dmtransport4@gmail.com

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2023-01-25

ATHS Nutmeg Chapter 34th Annual Truck Show, Flea Market & Toy Show

ATHS Nutmeg Chapter 34th Annual Truck Show, Flea Market & Toy Show

January 25

ATHS Nutmeg Chapter 34th Annual Truck Show, Flea Market & Toy Show

ATHS Nutmeg Chapter 34th Annual Truck Show, Flea Market & Toy Show June 25, 2023 Brooklyn Fair Grounds, Rt 169, Brooklyn, CT Contact: John 860-608-5033 or johnaraymond1@sbcglobal.net

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

ATHS Shenandoah Valley Chapter 33rd Annual Antique Truck Show

January 25 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm EST

ATHS Shenandoah Valley Chapter 33rd Annual Antique Truck Show

ATHS Shenandoah Valley Chapter 33rd Annual Antique Truck Show May 20, 2023  -  9 am to 4 pm Bridgewater Lawn Party Grounds, Bridgewater, VA (I-81 Exit 240, Rt. 257 West...

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January 21
January 21 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm PST

ATHS Northern California Chapter Monthly Meeting

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January 22
January 22 @ 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm EST

ATHS Nutmeg Chapter Meeting

January 23
January 23 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EST

ATHS Greater Cincinnati Chapter Truck Show

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January 25
All day

ATHS Nutmeg Chapter 34th Annual Truck Show, Flea Market & Toy Show

January 25 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm EST

ATHS Shenandoah Valley Chapter 33rd Annual Antique Truck Show

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