Book Published by Journal of Commerce and Containerization & Intermodal
Institute (CII) to Support Intermodal Industry Educational Outreach
Programs
HOLMDEL, N.J., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- It began with one simple idea:
Load truck trailers for inland transport directly onto ships. That simple
idea -- made famous by North Carolina trucker Malcom P. McLean -- would
lead to today's 40-foot corrugated metal box with doors called the shipping
container. "The Box That Changed The World", a new illustrated history
book, tells the story of containerization beginning in the 1950's and how
this simple commercial innovation has completely transformed world trade.
In recent weeks, U.S. ports and the container industry have been at the
forefront of the media. This book offers an inside look and a clearer
understanding of the ways in which containerization affects the everyday
lives of Americans and people everywhere.
The book is available for order at http://www.containerization.org and
will be released on April 26, 2006, exactly 50 years to the day the first
container-carrying vessel, the IDEAL X, sailed from Newark, NJ, for
Houston, Texas. Published by the Journal of Commerce magazine and the
Containerization & Intermodal Institute (CII), the book records the
development of the container industry in pictures, stories, interviews and
observations -- the people, places, dreams, triumphs, disappointments,
unexpected twists and how the container eventually changed the world.
Arthur Donovan, retired U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Professor and
historian, along with Joseph Bonney, Journal of Commerce Editor and
business journalist, co-authored the book. It has more than 170 historic
photos -- many not seen before and not easily obtained, as many important
shipping industry archives were lost in the World Trade Center in September
2001.
"For the most part, the general public purchases products -- from
computers to foodstuffs to underwear to toys -- and never gives a thought
on how they arrived on the shelf," said Mr. Bonney. "Containerized shipping
is one of the most important developments of our time. It has created
markets, transformed the global economy and changed our lives. Without it,
the world's biggest retail brand names would not exist."
"Containerization and the Internet are the heart and soul of
contemporary globalization," said Professor Donovan. "Containerization has
dramatically reduced the cost of moving all sorts of goods long distances,
and that in turn has transformed how and where commercial products are
manufactured and sold in today's global economy."
Proceeds from the book will benefit CII's mission of educational
outreach to the public. A book signing with the authors is planned at the
50th Anniversary of Containerization Gala Celebration on April 27, 2006, at
the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the History of
Containerization Foundation, Inc.
|
