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  • About Us
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  • Caterpillar’s History of Sustainable Innovation

Our History of Sustainable Innovation

Since our earliest days, Caterpillar has provided products and services that benefit our customers, continually improving the quality of the environment and communities where we live and work while helping build a better, more sustainable world. 

20/08/2021

1906

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In 1906, Benjamin Holt tested his first gasoline-powered track-type tractor that eventually replaced inefficient, steam-powered track-type tractors. His invention was named “Caterpillar,” and it was the first step on a never-ending journey toward more efficient power sources for our machines.

Benjamin Holt testing his gasoline powered prototype track-type tractor.

20/08/2021

1910

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You can say remanufacturing is part of our DNA. The Holt Manufacturing Company, one of our two predecessor companies, rebuilt and resold machines as early as 1910. One of these machines is still owned by the original customer’s family today.

Rebuilt Holt 45 track-type tractor that was originally owned by a customer in Argentina.

20/08/2021

1930

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In the 1930s, Caterpillar track-type tractors were converted to run on alternative fuels such as butane and propane. This Caterpillar Seventy track-type tractor was equipped to burn butane in Hanford, California. In this same decade, Caterpillar converted gasoline engines to burn natural gas, and sold diesel engine conversion kits that allowed existing customers to “modernize” their gasoline-powered Sixty tractors. 

Caterpillar Seventy track-type tractor equipped to burn butane, building an irrigation ditch in Hanford, California.

20/08/2021

1955

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In 1955, the D9 became the first Cat® machine fitted with a turbocharged diesel engine. Turbocharging technology captures and reuses exhaust gases to increase power while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Cat D9 tractor at work during the construction of I74 in Central Illinois.

20/08/2021

1973

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What began as a customer request for a low-cost repair option transformed into one of Caterpillar’s most dynamic divisions— Cat Reman. In 1973, the first Caterpillar remanufacturing plant began production in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Caterpillar remanufacturing assembly line in Bettendorf, Iowa.

20/08/2021

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Before being donated to the Smithsonian Institution, Caterpillar’s first diesel engine prototype, “Old Betsy,” was restored and put through a rigorous series of emissions tests in 1973. Thanks to a forward-thinking design, Old Betsy came very close to meeting 1973 emissions standards 40 years after it was built.

Caterpillar’s first diesel engine prototype, “Old Betsy,”

20/08/2021

1994

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From 1994 to 1995, Caterpillar ran the first two prototype 777C autonomous mining trucks (AMTs) at a Texas limestone quarry, where they successfully hauled more than 5,000 production loads over a 2.6-mile course, and demonstrated autonomous operations could improve safety.

The first two prototype Cat 777C autonomous mining trucks at a Texas limestone quarry.

20/08/2021

2019

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In 2019, Caterpillar introduced the D6 XE, the world’s first elevated sprocket electric drive dozer, providing substantial fuel savings and efficiency alongside increased productivity.

Cat D6 XE, the world’s first elevated sprocket electric drive dozer.
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  • History

    History

    Our history of innovation began more than 100 years ago with Holt and Best.

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    We’re committed to building a better, more sustainable world.

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