Robert A. Curry was born in 1931 in Toledo, Ohio. In 1939, his father moved to San Francisco, California, and the family relocated to Los Angeles in 1940. Bob grew up in the transportation and trucking industry. The family’s transition to the West Coast marked the beginning of their involvement in the trucking business. Bob’s father founded California Cartage Company during the war years, around 1943-1944, focusing on transporting aircraft parts between Los Angeles and San Diego. Bob joined the family business at a young age, performing various roles, from manual labor on the docks to driving forklifts. His career developed over the decades, eventually taking on management and sales responsibilities. 

Scope and Content Note
The oral history interview with Robert Curry provides a detailed account of the evolution of the California Cartage Company and the broader transportation industry from the 1940s to the late 20th century. The interview covers Bob's early impressions of Los Angeles and its port, describing the labor-intensive nature of early trucking operations and the transition to more mechanized and efficient systems. Significant focus is placed on the impact of World War II on the industry, including the transportation of aircraft parts and the challenges posed by wartime security measures. Bob traces the company's growth, including the acquisition of operating authority through strategic mergers and the pivotal role of containerization in revolutionizing shipping practices. Bob also reflects on the competitive landscape, detailing the relationships and rivalries with other trucking companies and railroads. The interview highlights Bob's efforts in fostering partnerships with Japanese shipping lines and the adaptations necessitated by regulatory changes, such as deregulation in the 1970s and 1980s.