Dhl Logbook

DHL Logbook - in cooperation with Technical University Darmstadt

Historical development of logistics The great logistics success story
Logistics has been playing a fundamental role in global development for almost 5,000 years now. Since the construction of the pyramids in ancient Egypt, logistics has made remarkable strides. Time and again, brilliant logistics solutions have formed the basisfor the transition to a new historical and economic era. Examples of this fundamental progress include the invention of the sea-cargo container and the creation of novel service systems during the 20th century. Both are integral parts of globalization today.

Around 2700 B.C.: Material handling technology in pyramid construction. Blocks of stone weighing several tons were transported andassembled at the construction site.
To build the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is 146 meters high and weighs 6 million tons, the Egyptians needed sophisticated material transport equipment capable of moving the massive building blocks and putting them into place. Even today, we still cannot fully explain how this level of precision was achieved using the hoisting equipment and means of transportavailable around 2700 B.C [1].

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DHL Logbook - in cooperation with Technical University Darmstadt

Around 300 B.C.: Revolutionary Greek rowing vessels – the new foundation of intercontinental trade.
The revolutionary invention of rowing vessels created the basis for rapid travel across the high seas. This invention formed the foundation for the creation of enormous logistics supply systemsrequired by mobile army camps. Using these logistics capacities, Alexander the Great undertook campaigns with his troops, their families and their weapons of war that extended all the way to India [1].

Around A.D. 700: Procurement logistics in the construction of the Mezquita Mosque – pillars came to Spain from all parts of the Islamic empire.
Construction of the famous Mezquita Mosque inCordoba, Spain, began in 756 under the Caliph of Cordoba in the Umayyad dynasty. It is considered to be the largest mosque in Europe. Extraordinary procurement logistics was required to transport the pillars of the mosque from all parts of the Islamic empire [1].

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DHL Logbook - in cooperation with Technical University Darmstadt

Around 1200: The international network known as the HanseaticLeague – cooperation for transport bundling and international sea transport.
In 1188, the city of Hamburg, Germany, was founded as a base on the North Sea for the Hanseatic League to make travel on the sea more secure and to represent business interests abroad. Up to 200,000 fur pelts were transported by a single Hanseatic cog ship. Hanseatic trade extended from the Black Sea to Reval. From amodern-day vantage point, the league’s cross-border trade bears strong similarities to the European Union [1].

Around 1500: Progressive postal service in Europe – the first time-definite mail shipping service.
Under an agreement with Philipp of Burgundy, Franz von Taxis organized the first postal service with strictly defined transit times. Letters were delivered to places such as Paris, Ghent,Spain and the imperial court of Vienna. In view of the infrastructure of the times and the political fragmentation created by the array of small principalities, the mail reached its destination with very little delay [1].

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DHL Logbook - in cooperation with Technical University Darmstadt

Around 1800: Discovery of new road conveyances and the railroad – expansion of logistics tasks throughnew technologies and means of transport.
The practical use of the steam engine, the invention of vehicles, railroads and ships as well as the discovery of crude oil ushered in a new economic era that generated new missions, tools and opportunities for logistics [1].

Around 1940: Military logistics during the world wars – transfer of military logistics concepts to the business world.
During...