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Witness History

The invention of the shopping trolley

Mar 4, 2025
Sylvan Goldman, an American supermarket owner, revolutionized shopping in 1937 by inventing the shopping cart. He creatively introduced 'folding basket carriers' to encourage customers to buy more. Through captivating clips from a 1977 interview, the discussion highlights how this innovation transformed consumer behavior and reshaped the grocery shopping landscape. The podcast also explores the excitement around the trolley's debut in Oklahoma City and reflects on its lasting impact on modern supermarkets.
10:08

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Sylvan Goldman's invention of the shopping cart in 1937 transformed consumer behavior by enabling larger purchases and enhancing the shopping experience.
  • To overcome initial resistance and societal perceptions, Goldman cleverly marketed the shopping cart by hiring women to showcase its utility in stores.

Deep dives

The Invention of the Shopping Cart

Sylvan N. Goldman revolutionized shopping by inventing the shopping cart in 1937, addressing the limitations of traditional carrying methods. Previously, shoppers could only buy what they could physically carry, which restricted their purchasing power. Goldman, recognizing this issue, developed a metal frame with wheels that could hold multiple wire baskets, subsequently allowing shoppers to carry more items comfortably. This innovative approach not only transformed the shopping experience but also significantly increased sales in his stores.

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