Leland James founded Consolidated Truck Lines in 1929, building a transcontinental network through acquisitions and fleet standardization. When no one would build his lightweight cabover trucks, he launched Freightliner in 1942. His push for custom designs and double trailers reshaped trucking, and his legacy still drives the industry today.

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.