The Caterpillar Century

"If that don't look like a monster Caterpillar!" -Charles Clements, credited with coining the name Caterpillar With that momentous assessment of The Holt Manufacturing Company's steam-powered track-type tractor, the Caterpillar Century commenced "one afternoon in the month of March 1905." But, the story begins even earlier. In 1886, both Benjamin Holt and Daniel Best were already at work building innovative machinery for California farmers. By the time The Holt Manufacturing Company and the C. L. Best Tractor Co. merged to officially form the Caterpillar Tractor Co. in 1925, the two companies had already experienced numerous successes in the development of tractors, harvesters, machinery, and agricultural implements. In the 100-plus years since the Caterpillar name was coined, the company has expanded well beyond its agricultural roots to become the top name in the earthmoving industry. The Caterpillar Centurytraces the development of the company's equipment milestones, including nearly 300 photos-from early steam tractors, original prototypes, experimental machines, and restored antique models to today's massive haul trucks, powerful dozers, versatile wheel loaders, gargantuan mining equipment, and much more.Eric C. Orlemann is the author of 'The Caterpillar Century', published 2007 under ISBN 9780760329610 and ISBN 0760329613.