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MI SSI ONAR Y PO S N O n 16 March 1905 Temple Press expanded
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its stable of transport magazines into the world of road transport.The Commercial Motor stepped into the spotlight with what we would now call a mission statement.
Under the heading "Our Methods", launch editor E (for Edward) Shrapnel] Smith proudly declared that the new publication would be missionary and educative medium which knows how to place the finger of discerning criticism". He promised: "We shall substantiate the points of self-maintenance,capacity to take profits and power to open fresh markets to the owner," adding firmly: "Failures will be explained,not denied, we shall give bald facts n detail.not merely nebulous )utlines.We shall answer the hundred Ind one questions."
Somewhat boldly for a brand new magazine, arapnell Smith also promised: "...We shall lace at the disposal of the industry the force Ind influence of a well constructed journal vhich has no divided interests.We shall copy nobody, for there is nobody to copy, but shall create out precedents throughout..."
His opening salvo concluded: "We shall work for the continued respect of our name and its reputation shall be the test of the solidity of the section of the industry which Great Britain has marked out for her own."
Inevitably the language is very much of the time. Were he alive today the old boy would doubtless bemoan the state of the Queen's English in the CM of the 21st century. But he'd have no problem recognising the same missionary zeal within our editorial pages. In short, we were then, are now, and ever will be, the magazine "At the Heart of the Road Transport Industry".
Nowadays Shrap's purple prose would have been subbed down to something more akin to "keeping the nation's truck operators profitable,professional and legal every week-. After all,21st Century truck operators have precious little time to absorb any but the barest, most cogent facts. But he'd know what we were talking about because that's exactly what CM has been doing ever since it started 100 years ago.
It's your party We're proud to have reached our 100th birthday. But we couldn't have done it without you, our readers. Not simply because without readers CM would have withered and died. but also because we've always relied on our readers' input and expertise. So throughout 2005 our celebration will be your celebration too and we'll be running a series of commemorative editorial activities to reflect that partnership.
Naturally we'll be looking at what we've been up to over the years, reviewing how we've reported the evolution of road transport since 1905. However, throughout 2005 we'll also be looking for haulage companies who have been in the business as long, or longer, than we have. So if your firm dates back to 1905 or beyond we want to hear from you.
Likewise we want to find Britain's oldest truckers: those veteran drivers and transport workers who prove that there's life in the old dog yet!
For heavy metal fans the search is on for the 20 most significant commercial vehicles from the past 100 years (and would Shraps have enjoyed that list!). Using a panel of 'wise men' we'll be drawing up a shortlist and, in the tradition of the "Best of British" (although they could just as easily come from anywhere in the world), we'll be inviting CM readers to vote for their favourites. Helping us find your favourite truck is just one area where we'd appreciate your participation.After Room 101, we're planning our own version, RDC 101, where you can vote in your least favourite thing from road transport of the past 100 years. And in a special 'Whatever happened to?' series, CM'S technical team will put the spotlight on those wonderful futuristic wagons that have been turning our heads at truck shows throughout the century —yet never turned a wheel in angel on the road. We'll also be seeking the world's oldest truck, and on the vintage theme we're planning to participate in various classic truck runs throughout the year.
But don't think our 100th anniversary will be all about the past; ever since its first issue CM has always looked forward. We'll be asking you to think of items to put in our road transport time capsule (OK,time warehouse) that future industrial archaeologists could open in 2105. What do you think is worth keeping in cold storage for the next 100 years?
Trucking family tree
Have you ever wondered about how the truck industry has become globalised? We'll include a special guide to who owns what and the sometimes complex relationships between thc world's truck makers.
Last but not least, we'll be asking CM readers what they think will be happening over the next 100 years,so get those crystal balls out and give them a polish. When you adc it all up it promises to be quite a celebration. Every month throughout 2005 we'll be looking to share in our 100th birthday bash and you're all invited to the party.