The History of Casters

From their inception to modern day use, casters have been extremely helpful in moving heavy loads.

Casters are devices with wheels or balls that are mounted to a large object that makes it easier to move. Here is a short overview of the evolution of casters.

Early Years

No one is absolutely sure when the first caster was used but we know it came into use soon after the wheel was invented. It is simply a smaller version of a cart with wheels and evidence has been found from ancient civilizations. Casters were patented for the first time by David A. Fisher in 1876 to be used on furniture.

How Casters Are Attached

The two ways that a caster can be attached to an object are with a plate or a stem. Plate casters have a top plate that is bolted to the container. These are used for very heavy loads. Stem-mounted casters allow movement in any direction, making them ideal for lighter loads.

Modern Applications

Today, casters can be found almost everywhere including homes, offices, factories, warehouses, hospitals, or construction sites. Anywhere a load needs to be moved, casters are probably there to help. Heavy-duty casters can handle loads of 100,000 pounds.

The first casters made for industrial use were very heavy. Later, casters were used for other purposes and were made of leather or glass to protect wood flooring. Today, they may be made of leather, glass, iron, stainless steel, rubber, polyurethane, nylon, or aluminum.

Wheel Adaptations

Over time, certain adaptations were made for use of casters in certain environments. Extra wheels or balls in place of wheels help the caster swivel more easily. High temperature wheels may be made of fiberglass, glass-filled nylon, or engineered rubber to withstand high temperatures for a short time. Pneumatic caster wheels made be filled with air or foam to provide a cushioned ride for fragile cargo and some are rubber wheels made to provide extra cushion.