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History
"Blacksmiths and wheelwrights built the early wagons. The U.S. market for wagons expanded significantly in the 1800s. Large-scale production and factory complexes with dozens and even hundreds of employees eventually evolved in the production of carriages and wagons. The American Revolution, Civil War, other military conflicts, overall westward expansion of the country and the clearing of land for crops stimulated greater demand for wagons. The Conestoga wagon and other farm wagons were pulled by oxen or horses and were widely used even as early as the French and Indian War to transport weapons and supplies. The early Conestogas had five- or six-foot diameter wheels in the rear with 4-inch or wider iron rims."
Source: Wagon Makers & the Wheels of History by John Knarr, North Manchester Historical Society.