100 Years of Innovation: How Caterpillar Helped Shape the World’s Most Legendary Landmarks

We power the bold.

With a brand philosophy rooted in innovation and hard work, Caterpillar has consistently upheld this standard in every endeavour. From assisting in the construction of significant landmarks to crafting durable utility wear, this brand has maintained its legacy for years.

As we celebrate our Centennial in April 2025, we’re revisiting some of these monumental moments in a way that truly showcases the rich history of this brand. To mark this milestone, we are proud to introduce an iconic, limited-edition range celebrating three of the most significant projects Caterpillar has had the honour of contributing to.

Read on to discover more about our incredible journey!

Bridging Dreams One Beam At A Time: The Golden Gate Bridge (1933)

Recognised as a symbol of power and progress for the United States, the Golden Gate Bridge represented a groundbreaking triumph in suspension bridge innovation. Upon its completion in 1933, it was celebrated as the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world.

Though it no longer holds that title today, it remains a significant piece of American history and a beloved landmark visited by both tourists and locals alike.

Now, you may be wondering—what role did Caterpillar play in bringing this magnificent structure to life? At the risk of boasting, it was our machinery that made the construction of this engineering marvel possible. Despite challenges posed by harsh weather and difficult terrain, our tractors and scrapers tackled over a million yards of excavation, paving the way for the creation of the 1.7-mile-long bridge.

What was once thought impossible became an iconic symbol of progress—and we couldn’t be prouder to have played a part in its story!

One Step for Man, One Giant Step for Caterpillar: The Moon Landing (1969)

In the 1960s, tensions were high as the United States and the Soviet Union fiercely competed in the space race to be the first to land humans on the Moon.

NASA immediately set to work, determined to win this race. This is where Caterpillar once again lent a helping hand, supporting NASA’s preparations by providing our heavy-duty equipment to construct the launch facilities and infrastructure needed for the mission. More importantly, it was our Cat machines that powered the antenna used for communications between the Apollo crew and NASA’s tracking stations.

This monumental achievement in history was marked by the iconic phrase, “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” In the excitement of the moment, Neil Armstrong, the commander of the mission, famously omitted the ‘a’ from his prepared statement.

Nevertheless, this achievement stands as a testament to what humanity can accomplish when hard work and determination take centre stage.

Digging Deep To Bring Nations Together: The Channel Tunnel (1994)

Fast forward to 1994, and we witness yet another ambitious engineering feat of the 20th century!

Holding the title of the longest undersea tunnel in the world, the Channel Tunnel marked a significant milestone for mankind, enabling faster and more efficient transportation between the United Kingdom and France.

At the time, this project served to strengthen trade between the UK and Europe by facilitating smoother logistics. Passengers also gained an alternative mode of transport, bypassing the need for air or sea travel.

Of course, constructing underwater posed immense challenges, requiring precise engineering and advanced technologies. Caterpillar equipment rose to the occasion, easily navigating the tricky terrain. With the use of over 100 Caterpillar machines, our equipment played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth construction of this iconic tunnel.

To properly celebrate these momentous achievements, our exclusive Centennial Footwear Range offers bold and extraordinary designs that pay tribute to these three historic moments.

As seen on our Golden Gate Bridge Boot, the face features decorative detailing and panelling that mimic the bridge's iconic panels. Not forgetting the pop of orange on the lace, which beautifully embodies the distinctive orange colour the bridge is known for.

Our Apollo 11 Boot perfectly encapsulates the spirit of exploration and innovation that the Moon landing represented for mankind. With a colourway inspired by the soft, milky white of the Moon, and an overall chunky, thermal design reminiscent of astronaut gear, this boot honours this incredible milestone in history.

The design of our Channel Tunnel Boot truly pushes boundaries while capturing the resilience and strength needed to unite two nations. Featuring a bright yellow sole — in our iconic Caterpillar Yellow, of course — and a light symbolising the headlamps used by the countless workers who laboured tirelessly on this project, this boot stands as a testament to the hard work and dedication that brought this ambitious endeavour to life.

Caterpillar Continues To Transform the World

As we celebrate this incredible 100-year milestone, Caterpillar reflects fondly on the monumental achievements of our past while continuing our mission to transform the world today.

We are immensely proud to have come so far — from producing durable, revolutionary machinery to branching out into footwear and apparel that empower our earthmovers.

As we honour the past in celebration of our centennial, we also eagerly anticipate the amazing moments the future holds.

Together, Caterpillar and our fellow earthmovers will continue to transform the world around us. Remember, through hard work and innovation, we can all break new ground.