The Shopping Cart: An Oklahoma Innovation That Transformed Retail

In 1937, Sylvan Goldman, owner of Oklahoma City's Humpty Dumpty grocery chain, introduced a groundbreaking invention: the shopping cart.

 

Observing that customers' purchases were limited by the weight they could carry, Goldman sought a solution to enhance their shopping experience.

 

Inspired by a folding chair, he collaborated with mechanic Fred Young to create a metal frame on wheels, supporting two wire baskets.

 

Initially, shoppers were hesitant.

 

Men felt pushing a cart appeared unmanly, while women likened it to a baby carriage.

 

Undeterred, Goldman hired models to demonstrate the carts in-store, gradually winning over the public.

 

By 1940, the shopping cart had become a staple in supermarkets nationwide.

 

Goldman's innovation not only increased sales but also reshaped store layouts and customer behavior.

 

Today, the shopping cart remains an essential tool in retail, a testament to Goldman's vision and perseverance.

 

His legacy endures, highlighting how a simple idea can revolutionize an industry.