Interesting Historical Facts About the Wrecker Service Industry
If you are a history buff, then you need to read our blog on how the wrecker service industry was born. The story goes back in 1916, a driver lost control of his Ford Model T and ended up in the Chickamauga Creek in Chattanooga. A local service station owner called Ernest Holmes Sr. heard about this, and with 9 other men, spent the next few hours trying to recover the car. Which make Ernest start to think that there must be another way to do this. So he and 2 other friends, L.C. Decker and Elmer Gross, set about building the first ever wrecker.
As with most inventions, the first attempt was less than successful. An improved design that comes with outriggers to stabilize the vehicle proved to be more successful. So, apart from providing garage services to anyone that needed it, Ernest could go and help people when and where they needed it.
Holmes eventually patented his design and sold the “Holmes Wreckers” to other like-minded garages, this not only creating a business for himself but started an industry which has just celebrated its 100th anniversary. His idea of going to people, where and when they are in trouble, started a 24/7 industry which now boasts 30 minute response time for everything including roadside assistance, flatbed towing, locked out solutions, private property towing, auto battery help, out of gas towing to name but a few.
Sadly Ernest passed in 1945 and the family held the business right up to 1973. It was eventually taken over by Miller Industries, which is the largest manufacturer of towing and recovery vehicles in the world.
These stories and more can be found at the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum, which is appropriately located in Chattanooga. Understanding this industry is more than equipment and function, the museum focuses on the heart of the industry, not to mention its drivers.
We at Wreckerman Towing - Offer Wrecker, Flat Bed Towing Service, Jump Start hope you enjoyed our slice of history. If you want to find out about our wrecker service and how we can help you, please contact us at (907) 561-7989 today. We serve the Anchorage, AK area.