Mack Brothers

In the early 1900s, America’s freight moved by rail or horse-drawn wagons, as automotive technology was not yet ready for heavy commercial use. Within a generation, trucks transformed logistics, reshaping culture much as railroads once had. At the center of this story stands Mack. From inspiring the phrase “built like a Mack truck” to starring in Disney’s Cars, the brand has become an icon of strength and reliability.

The Mack brothers—Jack, Gus, and their siblings—pioneered an industry through vision and determination. Jack dreamed of producing the most durable, powerful trucks and engines in the world. Together, the brothers built a company that would deliver on that promise, creating tough, high-quality vehicles that set new standards and became part of everyday language.

Their innovations pushed the industry forward. Gus Mack patented a constant mesh feature to protect gears from inexperienced drivers, while Jack Mack patented a selective shifting system that allowed drivers to move directly between high and low gears without passing through intermediates. These breakthroughs not only improved performance and safety but also established Mack as a leader in truck design.

From their earliest designs to the thousands of vehicles produced over the decades, the Mack brothers’ vision endures. Their legacy remains central to the trucking industry and American culture.