The 20ft shipping containers were available more than 50 years ago. The first containers were used to send goods in metal boxes that could be loaded and unloaded by crane. The first businessman to load a ship with several dozens of 35ft shipping containers was Malcolm Mclean, a North Carolina resident.
His route was Newark, New Jersey to Houston, Texas. A shipping container is made up of a body with bottom, top, and side walls having upper and lower horizontal hollow chords. Each of these chords has an opening at the bottom and top. To allow runoff of dirt and water, it has interior baffles sloped downward.
Generally, the cargo container is made with closed-top dry vessels from aluminum, plastic, plywood, fiberglass, steel or a combination of these materials. The hinged rear door allows for stowing and unstowing of cargo.