The pickup truck has been an integral part of American culture since the 1920s. It started with the military in World War I. Then Henry Ford noticed them and designed the first civilian pickup truck. He based it on the Model T. Ever since then, people from every stratum of society have enjoyed their practicality. Even today, all varieties of pickup trucks, from basic utilitarian models to incredibly luxurious versions with state-of-the-art technology are bestsellers.
Though Ford is credited with the creation of the pickup truck, it seems that Chevrolet tried to build one earlier. The Chevrolet Model 490 was available from 1918 to 1922 and was designed to compete directly with Ford. The 490 came from its $490 price tag. For that, you would get a running chassis. Customers would have to buy the cab, bed, and body separately from other companies. These were light, half-ton delivery vehicles, and shared many features with cars. They also had a sturdier one-ton version for commercial work.
But back to Ford. The original pickup was a Ford Model T Runabout that was 56 inches long and 40 inches wide. It featured an additional pair of leaf springs in the rear for added stability. Power came from a 40hp 4-cylinder engine. Nearly 34,000 units were sold in the first year. It was thanks to this demand that Ford developed the assembly line that changed the industry.
The following decades were booming for pickup trucks. More powerful versions became available along with more options like flatbeds, or beds with walls. The cabs got more comfortable and more spacious. The beds became longer. These workhorses were excellent on farms, in the military, construction, and anywhere where hauling things was required. In the 1960s and 70s, rising fuel prices spurred demand for more fuel-efficient models and compact sizes.
Designs evolved. More seats appeared. Pickups became family vehicles with four doors. Larger engines powered them enabling towing of campers, boats, and increasing the hauling capabilities too. Today, a one-ton pickup can haul over 6,500 pounds of cargo.
Today, luxury pickups rule the roost. These are incredibly powerful vehicles packed with all manner of creature comforts. Pickups have moved from farms to the cities not just for work, but as family vehicles.