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Post by 911pix on Oct 15, 2010 13:45:10 GMT -5
Floyd Chivvis was apparently the first to create and use a Ladder Rack on trucks (before then they were just carried, either flat or vertically), but after speaking with Floyd himself, even he can't even remember what year that might have been....anyone want to take a stab on what year that might have been?
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Post by Historian on Oct 17, 2010 18:05:26 GMT -5
I found this pic on our site here, and it clearly shows a ladder rack on the Floral Park's C-Truck in 1947 @ Hempstead.  While I am sure Chivvis built more, and much better quality (!) ladder racks (or chutes, as they were known..) I don't think they invented the idea. Hope this helps! |
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Post by 911pix on Oct 17, 2010 21:04:51 GMT -5
Well....sort of; it's a question of semantics then how one defines "rack". I think, from what you're saying, that Chivvis may have been the first to design a rack/chute/system wherein the ladder would slide/be guided down in the correct position for planting, rather than relying on the skill, coordination and strength of the spikers. That being said, Chivvis didn't really come on to the scene until the mid 1950's; it might be worth checking photos from that time forward to see when they first show up.
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Post by HydroJr on Oct 18, 2010 7:58:47 GMT -5
In looking at several pics on B trucks, it looks like the late 60's early 70's that the familiar Chivis type body started to appear. Most of the trucks used the similar large rear fenders, but the body styles were different.
By chute, do you mean the the runners coming all the way to the hose bed? That seemed to have started later on, late 70's - 80's?
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Post by 911pix on Oct 18, 2010 8:33:54 GMT -5
I guess...  I'm not clear on whether there was a gradual transition from what appears in Historians pic (above) to what we have now, or whether Chivvis (or whoever) had a "Eureka!" moment and created a rig similar to today's in one fell swoop. According to Mark Jaffie, Chivvis came up with the idea, and first used/modified a device such as what was used in the back of an ambulance to guide the gurney smoothly in and out of the back of the rig. (Has anyone else heard that same account?) |
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I'm not clear on whether there was a gradual transition from what appears in Historians pic (above) to what we have now, or whether Chivvis (or whoever) had a "Eureka!" moment and created a rig similar to today's in one fell swoop. According to Mark Jaffie, Chivvis came up with the idea, and first used/modified a device such as what was used in the back of an ambulance to guide the gurney smoothly in and out of the back of the rig. (Has anyone else heard that same account?)