In the 21st Century, portable storage units are durable, large and in most cases affordable. Most, if not all, portable storage companies are efficient with getting the move done right and have strong trucks to move anywhere their clients need to go. With the advancements of technology, it is now easier to book your portable storage unit, schedule a pickup time of your furniture and be on the way to your new home. Let’s take a look back at some brief history of portable storage units, from all around the world.

CHINA

It is rumored that the idea of self-storage started in ancient china circa 4000 B.C. The story is of a man named Xiang Lau, who was collecting rocks and bones until his wife started getting upset over the clutter. So, Xiang Lau started building giant pots all around to store his rocks and bones.

UNITED KINGDOM

It was also rumored that in the 17th and 18th century, goods would be stored in a bank, and one the bank got too filled up, the goods would be transferred to a warehouse.

AMERICA

  • 1800’s: In Omaha, Nebraska, two brothers Martin and John, started Bekins Van and Storage Co. Their business consisted of horse-drawn vans and buggies.
  • Late 1950s & 60s: Perhaps at the end of WWII, was when more storage units started showing up with the beginning of a new economic era.
  • 1964: Russ Williams and stepson Bob Munn started A-1 U-Store-It U-Lock-It U-Carry-the-Key” in Odessa, TX.
  • 1970’s: Storage units start developing more and more over the US as the economy grew, more people had to store their possessions.

These points are referenced from Neighbor.com.

And so, let’s ask ourselves, what will be next in the advancement of the portable/storage unit industry? Could technology play an even bigger role than we imagine? Anything is possible when the idea is already out there! If you’d like to book a container, call UNITS Moving & Portable Storage at (855) 981-8648 or find your nearest franchise today!

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