The first tow trucks were developed in the 1910s and 1920s, in response to the growing number of cars on the roads. These early tow trucks were often homemade and improvised, built from modified car chassis and equipped with winches and pulleys to lift and move disabled vehicles. One of the earliest examples of a commercial tow truck was built by Ernest Holmes Sr., who in 1916 developed a device to lift and move cars using a winch and a series of chains. Holmes went on to found the Holmes Wrecker Company, which became one of the largest tow truck manufacturers in the world.

In the early days, tow trucks were often used by garages and repair shops to transport cars that needed repairs or maintenance. As the popularity of cars grew, however, tow trucks became increasingly important for clearing wrecks and accidents from the road. Tow truck operators were called upon to remove damaged vehicles and debris from accident scenes, allowing traffic to flow more freely and reducing the risk of further accidents.

During World War II, tow trucks played an important role in military operations, transporting damaged vehicles and equipment from the battlefield. After the war, tow trucks continued to evolve and become more specialized, with a range of different types and sizes designed to handle specific tasks. Some tow trucks were equipped with booms and cranes to lift heavy objects, while others were designed for off-road recovery in remote locations.

Today, tow trucks are an essential part of the modern transportation infrastructure, used by government agencies, businesses, and private individuals to transport vehicles, clear accidents and debris from the road, and provide emergency roadside assistance. As cars and trucks continue to become more advanced and complex, tow trucks will likely continue to evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of the automotive industry.