Malcolm McLean

Malcolm McLean launched the first container ship from Newark to Houston on 26 April 1956, reducing dockside loading from three weeks to eight hours. Standardised ISO containers slashed freight costs by ~90%, enabling global just-in-time supply chains. Economists credit containerisation with more trade growth than all post-war tariff reductions combined.

• Lived: 1913 CE – 2001 CE
• Nationality: american
• Roles: entrepreneur, businessman