It was first used commercially in 1936, originating with the Dempster-Dumpster system of detachable containers that were mechanically loaded onto trucks for transport to disposal facilities. This system was patented by Dempster Brothers in 1935. This system was popular for hauling heavy, dense loads such as food waste, sludge and other hard to handle materials. There was also a need for trucks and containers like this in other material handling applications in mining, foundry and slaughterhouses as well. This example of the Dempster Dumpster is probably from the 40’s or 50’s, an unknown make of a conventional chassis operated by an unidentified “Bureau of Sanitation”, perhaps hauling something like sewage sludge. This system was used into the ‘50’s and 60’s, eventually being replaced by roll offs and lugger trucks to handle larger loads. I’ve heard of some trucks and containers surviving later into the end of the 20th Century. Rumor has it there are still some operating today! Later, Dempster went on to make roll-off systems, including the Dempster Dinosaur, the Dragon, and front load bodies, rear load bodies and stationary compaction equipment as well.