Tow Trucks History

HORRIBLE ATTN GETTER! Most of us drive a vehicle or at least ride in one. Vehicles aren’t always cooperative, that is where tow trucks come to save the day. Where would we be without tow trucks? Pulling vehicles out of ditches with rope. Probably not the best idea. Tow trucks have a long history, from being invented to all of the advancements that have been made. The growing industry led to the creation of separate state associations to help the towing communities. Not only did they feel that it was necessary for smaller associations throughout the US, but they felt that a museum was necessary to show everything that has been accomplished. People need to be aware of their emergency responders and the history behind their machines. First off,

Located in Chattanooga Tennessee, the same city that Ernest Holmes invented the first tow truck, which is the reason why the museum is located in Chattanooga. It is a museum that is centered around the history of tow trucks as well as those who lost their lives. Its main focus as a museum is to educate the public, display artifacts, recognizes individuals and those that lost their lives. At the beginning, the museum was on wheels. They traveled across the country to tell the world about the tow truck industry. “In 1986 the first Hall of Fame inducted 27 members, there are now 285 HOF members,” (International). In 1995, the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum opened at its first permanent location, and in 2003 it moved to a new location still in city limits. At their current location in 2006 the Wall of the Fallen memorial was constructed just outside the front doors. On this memorial, names of every fallen driver killed in the line of duty is engraved into the stone. There is a ceremony every year that is specifically for the fallen drivers. This ceremony is like a final

In the theater a video will play that goes through the history of the towing industry and include pictures and facts that even the most educated person on tow trucks wouldn’t know. After the video a door will open and you will be escorted to the back of the building. Behind those doors lays a hundred years of information. Tows trucks dating back to 1916 are located just past those doors. Not only those trucks, but also the tow trucks used in WWII are located in the back room along with antique toy tow trucks that have been refurbished. There are around 15-20 full sized tow trucks in that back room. The biggest tow truck is the one used in WWII which is about the same size as the medium duty or standard wreckers of today. After leaving that room guests are led through long hallways which contain a picture of every member of the Hall of Fame. These Hall of Fame members did something in the industry that led to a huge advancement. After walking the hallways, the guests are led to the gift shop, where souvenirs can be purchased. The museum is a non-profit organization, every truck that is in the building was donated, or a gift from individuals or major