When we receive a package, we rarely consider the time, effort, and careful planning required to get it to our door. The logistics industry, which is often an unseen part of our society, quietly makes same-day shipping and other phenomena possible on a daily basis.
Logistics is not a novel or cutting-edge concept. Countries have relied on this industry since ancient times to ensure a steady flow of supplies, whether it is food and water or military equipment. As ecommerce grows, our world is becoming more reliant on this industry than ever before.
As a result, we want to shine a light on the logistics industry. Here are some fascinating facts and statistics about this vital component of our economy!
Contents
The Origins of the Logistics Industry
If you scour the pages of history, you may become confused about the true origin of the term logistics. There is some disagreement about when and where the word came from. The most widely held belief is that it originated in France. This is due to the fact that it was first used in 1846 in “The Art of War” by Antoine-Henri Jomini, a Napoleonic-era French army general [1].
However, you may have read that the word is derived directly from the Greek language.
Some believe the phrase was coined by the Roman army, where the officers in charge of supplying the legions were referred to as “logistikas.”
Others believe it is derived from the mathematical term “logistikos.”
However, you may have read that the word is derived directly from the Greek language.
Some believe the phrase was coined by the Roman army, where the officers in charge of supplying the legions were referred to as “logistikas.”
Others believe it is derived from the mathematical term “logistikos.”
A Look at the Logistics Industry
It goes without saying that the logistics industry is critical to our economy, but how important is it? The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 4.8 million U.S. workers in 2015 – and this does not even include post office workers [2]! Let’s take a look at some more logistical statistics together.
A Logistics Industry Milestone and a Barcode
You may be aware of barcode milestones in retail, but did you know that labeling railcars were also an early barcode application? A Maine railroad wanted to find a way to track each of their railcars in 1961. In order to achieve this in an automated manner, the railroad tested a type of barcode system that used blue and orange reflective strips on their railcars, each with a unique number and barcode. These were captured with rail side scanners [3].
National Logistics Day is June 28th, and it is dedicated to those who work in logistics. National Logistics Day will be celebrated for the third time in 2021. This is the day when we express our gratitude for the work you do! Your role is critical to our economy and is becoming more important by the day.
