In 1938, Frederick McKinley Jones was charged with a mission that would revolutionize the refrigeration industry. From humble beginnings, Thermo King Corporation emerged as a titan in the trucking industry. Known for pioneering portable air-cooling units for trucks and prioritizing innovation, Jones’s legacy continues to shape the modern landscape.

In 1917, Edgar Worthington and Captain Frederick Kent revived Gersix Motor Company, former division of Gerlinger Company, later joined by Kent’s son Harry. In 1923, they renamed it Kenworth. They pioneered diesel trucks during the Great Depression and grew Kenworth into a leader known for iconic models like the W-900 and K-100.

The Mack Brothers, founders of Mack Trucks, 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.”

Bill Moon began as a chemical salesman, founded NATSO in 1960, and later managed Iowa 80. In 1977, he created CAT Scales to help drivers meet weight rules. When Standard Oil sold Iowa 80 in 1984, Bill and his wife Carolyn bought it and grew it into the world’s largest truck stop. His legacy lives on through Iowa 80’s museum and dedication to serving drivers.

In the 1930s, Joseph A. Morten and his son Joe W. turned trucking’s chaos into opportunity. From a small office in South Sioux City, Nebraska, they helped truckers navigate regulations, file paperwork, and secure insurance. Joe Jr.’s hustle and wartime experience built trust in a tough industry. When insurers refused trucking risks, the Mortens founded Great West Insurance in 1956 which grew into Great West Casualty Company — a national leader serving truckers.