1971
The American Truck Historical Society is formed to preserve the history of trucks, the trucking industry, and its pioneers.
1973
Arab oil embargo; truck drivers created blockades in protest over the fuel shortage. The U.S. Department of Defense launches the Global Positioning System (GPS) project.
1974
"Movin' On” TV show airs, resulting in fictional glamorization of trucking and CB radios. This show results in many new truck drivers and massive sales of CB radios.
1977
The movie “Smokey and the Bandit” is released, continuing the glamorization of the trucking industry.
1978
Jubitz Truck Stop launches the Dial-A-Truck (DAT) load finder service, the first electronic monitor load board.
1980
The Motor Carrier Act largely deregulates trucking, resulting in easier market entry for new carriers and rendering worthless the millions of dollars spent for operating authority.
1982
The Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) sets the first uniform national weight and length restrictions for tractor-trailers on Interstate highways and allows twin trailers nationwide.
1987
The Detroit Diesel Series 60, the first diesel engine with a full electronic control system, is produced.
1988
The Environmental Protection Agency begins regulating heavy-duty truck emissions.
1992
The Interstate Highway System, as originally planned, is declared complete with the dedication of the I-70 segment in Glenwood Canyon, CO. This finalizes the mainline interstate system.
1995
Truckstop.com launches as the first internet-based load board. Congress disbands the Interstate Commerce Commission, completing the deregulation process.
1996
GPS becomes available to civilians.
2012
U.S. Congress enacts the "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century" bill, mandating electronic logging to track commercial vehicles.
2016
Anheuser-Busch Inc. and Uber Technologies Inc. collaborate to make the first successful commercial delivery of beer using a self-driving truck.
2019
U.S. Postal Service implements self-driving trucks on scheduled runs between Phoenix, AZ and Dallas, TX.
