The Story Behind Wheels on Luggage
The idea of lugging around a heavy suitcase may seem unbearable today. It’s hard to imagine a time before suitcases had wheels. The concept of putting wheels on luggage, although brilliant, was not conceived until the 1970s. The person who transformed travel conventionally can be attributed to Bernard D. Sadow.
Meet Bernard D. Sadow
Bernard Dadow’s story exemplifies the saying, Necessity is the mother of invention. Sadow, now 90 years old, was working as a Vice President at a Massachusetts-based luggage and coat company back in the ’70s. During a return trip from Aruba, he found himself struggling with his suitcases. He observed a worker effortlessly rolling a heavy piece of machinery on a skid with wheels.
The Birth of an Idea
Observing the man with the skid, a simple yet revolutionary thought sparked in Sadow’s mind: Wouldn’t it be great if I could put wheels on my suitcase? Pulling instead of carrying luggage. Sadow embraced this inspiration and spent the next few weeks in his garage working on a prototype. He built a model using casters attached to a large suitcase and added a flexible strap serving as a pulling handle. His creation allowed for easy movement of luggage, marking the dawn of a new era in travel.
Pitching the Idea
Having successfully made his prototype, Sadow embarked on his mission to sell his idea. He approached several department stores, his aim: to convince them of the usefulness of his invention. However, the concept was met with skepticism and resistance, many considering it a comical and unnecessary idea. Sadow didn’t let these initial rejections discourage him; instead, he continued on his quest, demonstrating his invention to everyone who was willing to see it.
First Taste of Success
The turning point came when he walked into Macy’s. The store executives were intrigued by his pitch and agreed to carry his suitcases. The product was an instant hit. The utility and convenience offered by the wheeled luggage was undeniable, and soon other luggage companies started incorporating wheels in their designs. His invention quickly expanded from Macy’s shelves to a universal travel essential.
Evolution of Wheels on Luggage
Shortly after Sadow’s success, a Northwest Airlines pilot named Robert Plath took the concept a step further. In 1987, Plath, realizing that most airline workers dragged their luggage, invented the Rollaboard which had wheels and a long handle. It was a luggage piece that could be pushed upright, much similar to our suitcases today. Sadow’s four-wheeled suitcase and Plath’s two-wheeled Rollaboard laid the foundation for modern luggage system.
Impact and Acceptance
The introduction of wheels on luggage brought a profound change in the traveler’s experience, shifting from carry to roll. This simple yet magnificent innovation made transporting personal belongings much more manageable and allowed travellers to carry more without being burdened. It led to a more effortless and enjoyable travel experience, thereby marking a significant change in the history of human mobility.
Who knew that something as mundane as the invention of wheels on luggage would create such a significant impact on our travel lives? Sadow’s idea leveraged the most basic principle of physics – the wheel and axle – and proved that a simple idea could indeed bring about a revolutionary change. Today, a wheel-less suitcase is as ancient an artifact as a floppy disk or a dial-up modem. So, next time when you roll your suitcase, remember to thank Bernard D. Sadow, the man who made it all possible.