#LogisticsEverywhere

Video games and logistics

Let’s start this new column with video games: did you know that there are many games that have some very similar dynamics to those found in logistics?

The main character has to fulfill missions, and these often consist in taking an object from an initial point to a final destination.

In Animal Crossing Wild World it is possible to send or receive packages, which are sent and handled by a special courier. You just have to go to the character that takes care of this job, select the object to be sent and that’s it.

In Death Stranding it is possible to carry out missions called “order”, in which you must transport an object from an initial point to a final recipient, all of which must take place in a predetermined time. In the game you can also see information about the package: weight, condition and volume.

In GTA V, thanks to an extension, you can transform your character into a Bartolini courier and make deliveries in a red uniform and truck.

Logistics can also be fun through video games!

The history of logistics

The origins of logistics go back to ancient history and military campaigns. In an era where the global market and large-scale trade have become essential, the technical evolution of transport is in continuous development and for that reason it is worth analyzing and studying. Very briefly, we will give you an overview of the history, evolution and origin of logistics.

The need to transport goods arose around the 9th millennium BC, when agriculture and animal husbandry became dominant activities. Later, with the birth of the first urban agglomerations, it became necessary to transport people as well as move building materials to the cities.

But it was Julius Caesar who first established the concept. He included the figure of the logistician among the officers serving in his legions, as the person responsible for supplies.

Initially there was a preference reserved for heavy material to transport by ship. For this reason, all the cities in the Middle East were built along the rivers or on the sea.

In the 19th century, the invention of the steam engine gradually influenced ship transport as well: however, the definitive abandonment of sails came only with diesel engines. This type of engine was then applied to vehicles such as cars and trains.

Today we have at our disposal a series of modern vehicles, with which we also want to focus on sustainability and reduction of waste. The fact is that with the evolution of transport we want to aim for speed.

Toys and logistics

Today, in our #logisticseverywhere column, we’re talking about toys: ever since we’re little, we come into contact with countless games that allow us to learn about and become part of the working world.

Since play is a tool to know and learn to experience reality, it is necessary to give all little ones the chance to explore without being forced to adhere to a single rigid model.

In particular, the companies that have approached this world are:

Lego, a leading construction company, has been able to create real sets to compose inspired by the world of logistics to give children the opportunity to experiment and learn about that way. With the famous colored bricks, children can create their own logistics warehouse and imagine managing the various orders by organizing deliveries with pickup trucks and couriers to be driven across the floor of the house.

Bruder, a German toy company, has created models of vans, jeeps, animal transport, cement mixers and, in particular, replicas of delivery trucks, including the best-known DHL and UPS delivery vehicles. The company has in fact made available the possibility to purchase countless accessories that allow you to load and store, as in reality, small pallets with the help of a mini pallet truck, containers and shelving to make the way of logistics a way to discover.

Did you know that there are games inspired by logistics that give children the chance to get to know and explore this way of working?

Cinema and logistics

There have been many films in the history of cinema that have been very long, including Apocalypse Now, Barry Lyndon and Gone with the Wind. None of these, however, last as long as “Logistics”: the longest film in the history of cinema.

The film is of Swedish origin, was directed in 2012 by Erika Magnussen and Daniel Andersson, and has a duration of 857 hours!

The two directors had wondered where the electronic devices produced came from. so they decided to follow the reverse journey of a pedometer, from Stockholm to China. The film was shot in real time and followed the object’s journey from the store in Stockholm, through Rotterdam, Malaga until it reached its final destination: Shenzhen.

This film shows the journey that goods make when they leave from overseas: a very long journey with many stages to follow.

Music and logistics

Did you know that there is a genre of music created specifically for truck drivers?

This is Country Truck Music, it is a genre that mixes the notes of rock and country creating ballads that tell the stories of trucks and truckers.

This category of workers needs to be supported, as they are a key part of logistics, but they are often subject to very high levels of stress due to the long trips they spend completely alone.

For this reason, music accompanies them throughout the journey and radio stations create dedicated playlists for them so they are not left alone during long drives.