At the beginning of the 20th century, Peterman, a composite flooring manufacturer in Tacoma, DC, encountered a wood logistics problem: he could not transport the wood from the forest to the manufacturing plant in time. He sought improvement: let the logs go down the river, or use steam engines and horses. But Peterman knew that if he could invent new truck technology, the problem would be solved. Peterman began to assemble old military trucks and improve technology. In every car, the crank was replaced by a battery starter. Soon after, Peterman bought a Fageol car in Oakland, California, to make the chassis needed by the truck. Fageol took over in 1932, but the Great Depression that followed in 1938 made his assets almost zero. Peterman then bought the failed truck manufacturer. He made two chain-drive trucks, but it was not very successful. 1939, Peterman began to sell its trucks to the public. At the same time, it also represents the real establishment of Peter Bilt Company.