Kenworth Truck History
Maddy is hosting episode 7 of Truck History, focusing on Kenworth trucks, starting from the company’s founding in 1912 by brothers George and Lewis Bourlingueur. The brothers initially owned a car and truck dealership called Bourlingueur Motorcar Works and built their own truck in 1915. The company underwent significant changes, including a move to Tacoma, Washington, and a purchase by Edgar K Worthington and Frederick Kent in 1917.
Early Years and Establishment
The company was later renamed, with Kent’s retirement in 1919, and his son Harry becoming a partner, ultimately leading to the establishment of the Kenworth Truck Company in 1923. The name “Kenworth” was derived from the owners’ last names, Ken and Worth. In the same year, Kenworth’s headquarters moved to Seattle, and the company began producing trucks with six-cylinder gasoline engines, with 78 built in the first year.
Innovations and Expansion
Kenworth focused on customization, building vehicles to customer specifications, and introduced innovative features like all-steel frames and pneumatic tires. Despite the Great Depression, Kenworth remained aggressive, developing new markets and strategies, producing fire trucks and buses, and becoming the first American truck manufacturer to install diesel engines as standard equipment in 1933. The company introduced its first sleeper cab in 1939 and the 500 series in the same year.
War Efforts and Post-War Developments
During World War II, Kenworth shifted production to crafting bomb bay doors and bulkheads for planes, and later produced M1 wreckers. After the war, Pacific Car and Foundry purchased Kenworth, and the company pioneered lightweight chassis and introduced the first post-war cab over engine truck in 1948. Kenworth maintained its reputation for satisfying customer needs, releasing specialized models like the 853 for use in Middle Eastern oil fields in 1951.
New Models and Designs
Kenworth introduced various truck models, including:
- The 853 with special radiators and balloon tires
- The 900 series
- The W 900 conventional, which replaced the 900 series and brought several design changes
- The K100 cab-over-engine, which shared similar build characteristics with the W 900
The W 900 was extremely successful, and in 1967, it underwent its first major change, including a wider hood to accommodate larger diesel engines.
Modern Developments
In the 1970s and 1980s, Kenworth continued to innovate, introducing models like the C 500, the raised roof Aerodyne sleeper, and the “Very Important Trucker” series. The company also released new models, such as the W 900 B in 1982 and the aerodynamically enhanced T 600 in 1985. The T600 design improved fuel efficiency by up to 22% and aerodynamics by 40% over previous models, leading to the introduction of various sloped hood trucks, including the T800, W900, and T400.
Recent Years
Between 1993 and 2012, Kenworth introduced new truck models, including the Aero cab, T300, T2000, T660, T700, and T680, each refining the company’s line of aerodynamic trucks and setting new standards for performance, comfort, and style. The company celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2013 with the launch of the T880 vocational truck and marked the 25th anniversary of the W900L in 2015 with a limited edition release. Kenworth also released the Icon 900 model in limited production numbers and introduced the W990 in 2018, a controversial truck that replaced the W900, featuring a more aerodynamic shape and cosmetic changes.
Stay Tuned
Tune in to the channel on Monday for podcast highlights and catch the live show on Chrome and Steel Radio on YouTube and Facebook at 12:00 p.m. EST on Wednesdays.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Kenworth | An American truck manufacturer founded in 1912 by George and Lewis Bourlingueur. | The Kenworth company has been producing trucks for over a century, with a focus on customization and innovation. |
| Bourlingueur Motorcar Works | The initial car and truck dealership owned by the Bourlingueur brothers. | The Bourlingueur Motorcar Works was the starting point for the Kenworth company, where the brothers built their first truck in 1915. |
| Pneumatic Tires | Tires filled with air, providing a smoother ride and better traction. | Kenworth introduced pneumatic tires as an innovative feature in their early trucks, improving the overall driving experience. |
| Sleeper Cab | A type of truck cab that includes a sleeping compartment for drivers. | Kenworth introduced its first sleeper cab in 1939, providing a more comfortable and convenient option for long-haul truckers. |
| Cab-Over-Engine | A type of truck design where the cab is positioned over the engine. | Kenworth introduced the first post-war cab-over-engine truck in 1948, which became a popular design for its time. |
| Aerodynamics | The study of the interaction between air and solid objects, applied to improve truck design and reduce wind resistance. | Kenworth’s T600 model, introduced in 1985, featured an aerodynamically enhanced design, improving fuel efficiency by up to 22% and aerodynamics by 40%. |
| Customization | The process of modifying or tailoring a product to meet specific customer needs or preferences. | Kenworth has always focused on customization, building vehicles to customer specifications and introducing innovative features to meet their needs. |
| Diesel Engine | A type of internal combustion engine that uses diesel fuel and is commonly used in trucks. | Kenworth became the first American truck manufacturer to install diesel engines as standard equipment in 1933, marking a significant milestone in the company’s history. |
| W900 | A model of truck produced by Kenworth, known for its conventional design and popularity among truckers. | The W900 was a highly successful model for Kenworth, with its first major change in 1967, including a wider hood to accommodate larger diesel engines. |
| T600 | A model of truck produced by Kenworth, featuring an aerodynamically enhanced design. | The T600, introduced in 1985, was a groundbreaking model that improved fuel efficiency and aerodynamics, setting a new standard for the industry. |
Watch The Video
Vocabulary Quiz
1. Which word means ‘a period of time when there is no war’?
A) War Efforts
B) Post-War Developments
C) Peace Time
D) Great Depression
2. What does ‘pneumatic’ refer to in the context of tires?
A) Solid Rubber
B) Filled with Air
C) Made of Steel
D) Heavy Duty
3. What is a ‘sleeper cab’ in the context of trucks?
A) A type of engine
B) A compartment for sleeping
C) A type of tire
D) A type of chassis
4. What does ‘aerodynamic’ mean in relation to truck design?
A) Having a square shape
B) Having a shape that reduces air resistance
C) Having a heavy weight
D) Having a large size
5. What is a ‘vocational truck’?
A) A truck used for long-distance driving
B) A truck used for a specific job or profession
C) A truck used for racing
D) A truck used for transportation of goods
Answer Key:
1. C
2. B
3. B
4. B
5. B
Grammar Focus
Grammar Focus: Use of the Past Simple and Past Perfect Tenses
Grammar Quiz:
1. By the time Kenworth introduced its first sleeper cab, the company ________ trucks with six-cylinder gasoline engines for over 15 years.
- had been producing
- was producing
- produced
- has produced
2. The name “Kenworth” ________ from the owners’ last names, Ken and Worth, when the company was established in 1923.
- was derived
- has been derived
- is derived
- derived
3. By 1933, Kenworth ________ the first American truck manufacturer to install diesel engines as standard equipment.
- became
- had become
- was
- has become
4. The company ________ its reputation for satisfying customer needs by releasing specialized models like the 853 for use in Middle Eastern oil fields in 1951.
- maintained
- was maintaining
- had maintained
- has maintained
5. Kenworth ________ various truck models, including the 853, the 900 series, and the W 900 conventional, by the 1960s.
- introduced
- had introduced
- was introducing
- has introduced
Answer Key:
1. had been producing
2. was derived
3. had become
4. maintained
5. had introduced