Time Capsule: 1920 International Model H
As this photo shows, work trucks in the early part of the 20th century emphasized functionality over comfort, leaving drivers such as the one shown here literally out in the cold.
This 1920 International Model H is featured in the book International Harvester Trucks: The Complete Story by Patrick Foster. Photo: Patrick Foster/Motorbooks
As this photo shows, work trucks in the early part of the 20th century emphasized functionality over comfort, leaving drivers such as the one shown here literally out in the cold.
The International Model H was a 3/4-ton truck introduced in 1916. This 1920 Model H with delivery body was used to transport "fresh beef guts aand provisions." The Model H featured the Renault-style sloping, coffin-shaped hood.
The driver in the open cab is bundled up against the cold weather. As as Patrick Foster, author of International Harvester Trucks: The Complete Story, observed: "In the early days of motoring, open cars and trucks were the norm; closed cabs wouldn't become dominant until later in the decade." Also note the tire chains on the rear wheel.
Work Truck eNews will be featuring historic images of fleet trucks on a regular basis. If you have an historic fleet truck image you'd like to share with readers, e-mail it to Lauren Fletcher or Chris Wolski.
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