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1905 - San Francisco, California
A Holt steam traction engine works on the construction of a section of San Francisco's cable car system.
San Francisco's famed cable car system got its start in 1873. Over the next several decades, modifications were made to the system and new lines were added. Photos taken in 1905 show Holt Steam Traction Engine #37 being used to help lay new cable. This is the first documented instance of our machines in use on a public works construction project.

1906 - San Francisco, California
A Holt steam traction engine is used during recovery efforts after the San Francisco Earthquake.
The San Francisco earthquake ranks as one of the most significant earthquakes of all time. Photos taken following the quake and subsequent fire show Holt Steam Traction Engine #37 helping with the cleanup. This is the first known instance of our machines in use to aid in disaster recovery.

1908-1913 - California
Holt's track-type tractors receive exposure on the Los Angeles Aqueduct Project.
Twenty-seven of the first 100 Holt Caterpillar track-type tractors went to work on the Los Angeles Aqueduct Project, which provided a good proving ground for these machines. Because of contract deadlines, Holt's engineers were forced to quickly find solutions to mechanical problems. From this experience came solutions and technical improvements such as all-steel construction, three-speed transmissions, better spring suspension systems, better clutches and strengthened tractor parts.

1914-1918 - Europe
Holt's track-type tractors play a support role in World War I.
Even before the U.S. formally entered WWI, Holt had shipped 1,200 tractors to England, France and Russia for agricultural purposes. These governments, however, sent the tractors directly to the battlefront where the military put them to work hauling artillery and supplies.
These tractors also provided members of the British army with the inspiration needed to design the tank. Colonel E. D. Swinton had seen Holt's Caterpillar tractors in action and borrowed their track-laying principle to provide the tank with its form of locomotion.
After the U.S. declaration of war, Holt placed its facilities at the disposal of the government. The Holt Manufacturing Company had advantages over other tractor companies due to the relationship it had developed with the U.S. Army Ordnance Department. In fact, bids from the Ordnance department called for specifications of the "Caterpillar type." Holt expanded factories to accommodate production of the large numbers of tractors the government required. Over 5,000 Holt tractors were produced for the U.S. and Allied governments during World War I.

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