Trash Talk: The Invention of the Dumpster

Let’s dive deep into a little trash talk: the invention of the dumpster. How exactly did this important invention evolve? Dumpsters are a seemingly plain commodity that’s often overlooked. In fact, it can be taken for granted because of its very purpose of removing and carrying garbage. However, without dumpsters, we all would have much more to complain about—no explanation required. Thankfully, there were two brothers who set out to revolutionize garbage removal around the world.

Steam Trucks

The Thornycroft Company began by making steam trucks, which is a version of a dust cart. The front cab had a boiler that provided 180 PSI pressure. The machine moved with the help of a twin cylinder compound engine with a final drive chain and was used for carrying freight. Messrs Thornycroft created the design and engineering for the steam truck. However, Bristol Wagon and Carriage Company created the bodywork and chassis. It would still be forty years from then until the dumpster itself is created.

Dempster Dumpster

The word dumpster was used for the first time in 1936 for commercial purposes. Dempster-Dumpster had a system of mechanically loading contents onto garbage trucks. This patent was shared by the Dempster brothers; therefore, the containers were called Dumpsters. The brothers first patented the dumpster in 1935 in Knoxville, Tennessee, but the dumpster was first created in the 1920s. The original dumpster called the Dempster Dumpmaster was designed for use by mechanical arms, and was later perfected in the 1950s.

Onward and Upward

<p>George Roby Dempster acquired some fame for his trash solutions. He decided to take this fame and run with it by reaching the political office in Tennessee. George became the Mayor of Knoxville and later became the city manager after retirement. This position worked in alliance with building, construction, and the government. Today, George Roby Dempster is still one of our most famous mayors due to his local and nationwide contributions.</p><p>Dempster units are still manufactured today, but they only hold a small portion of the market. Roll-off models, such as the 40-yard roll-off dumpster, still have the term “dumpster” attached to it. Trash is often seen as a gross concept—simply because it is! That’s all the more reason to be thankful for inventors such as the Dempster brothers for finding a problem and creating a solution by their invention of the dumpster.