Historical development of logistics The great logistics success story
Logistics has been playing a fundamental role in global development for almost 5,000 years now. Since the construction of the pyramids in ancient Egypt, logistics has made remarkable strides. Time and again, brilliant logistics solutions have formed the basis for the transition to a new historical and economic era. Examples of this fundamental progress include the invention of the sea-cargo container and the creation of novel service systems during the 20th century. Both are integral parts of globalization today.
Around 2700 B.C.: Material handling technology in pyramid construction. Blocks of stone weighing several tons were transported and assembled at the construction site.
To build the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is 146 meters high and weighs 6 million tons, the Egyptians needed sophisticated material transport equipment capable of moving the massive building blocks and putting them into place. Even today, we still cannot fully explain how this level of precision was achieved using the hoisting equipment and means of transport available around 2700 B.C [1].
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Around 300 B.C.: Revolutionary Greek rowing vessels – the new foundation of intercontinental trade.
The revolutionary invention of rowing vessels created the basis for rapid travel across the high seas. This invention formed the foundation for the creation of enormous logistics supply systems required by mobile army camps. Using these logistics capacities, Alexander the Great undertook campaigns with his troops, their families and their weapons of war that extended all the way to India [1].
Around A.D. 700: Procurement logistics in the construction of the Mezquita Mosque – pillars came to Spain from all parts of the Islamic empire.
Construction of the famous Mezquita Mosque in
References: [1] Episoden des Logistik-Managements in Antike und Mittelalter | Dülfer 2005. In: Logistik Stories | Göpfert / Froschmayer (Hrsg.) Related articles Trends in the economy as drivers of logistics development URL http://www.dhldiscoverlogistics.com/cms/en/course/origin/historical_development.jsp 7/7