glad hand history

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by homerjockey, Aug 6, 2011.

  1. homerjockey

    homerjockey Bobtail Member

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    Aug 6, 2011
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    Hoping somebody has some info on this.
    As part of my job as a yard jockey if I find a trailer in need of repair I report it so it can be fixed before the driver comes to pick it up. The other day I found a damaged glad hand, and reported it to management. The supervisor asked me "why do you call it a glad hand?". I must admit as curious of a person as I normally am, I had never thought to ask. I asked the mechanic when he arrived to fix it. He said " you hook your airline up to it and be GLAD if the trailer moves". I took that to mean he didn't know. Google and Wikipedia have not been any help.
    Does anybody know the origin of the glad hand, who invented it, and why we call it a glad hand? Any info would help or maybe point me to a Website with the answers.
    Thanks, the jockey ​
     
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  3. Captain Canuck

    Captain Canuck "Captain of the Ship"

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    Well, at one point, "gladhanding" was slang for a (sometimes insincere) handshake, so I'm guessing they were named that because of the handshake-like fashion in which they couple.
     
  4. ronin

    ronin Road Train Member

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    Because it's like extending a "glad hand" to shake someone's hand. These things do a handshake to connect. That's what I was told, at least, and it makes sense.

    A "glad hander" is usually a politician who does lots of hand shaking.
     
  5. johnday

    johnday Road Train Member

    I don't know either, but it could have a couple different connotations!:biggrin_2559:
     
  6. king Q

    king Q Road Train Member

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    I don't really know because in my country we use a different type of connector.
    I am familiar with the type used in the US because we sometimes see imported equipment with it.
    I just though the name evolved because of the type of seal it uses.
    These type of seals are common and are known as "Gland" seals.
     
  7. jbee

    jbee Medium Load Member

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    In this country, those are known as condoms...... :lol:
     
  8. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    Considering the older model which was threaded and you had to take two wrenches and deal with cross threads, busted knuckles and such....

    Your hand was glad with the new quick disconnect.

    Hell, I don't know, but it sounded good! :)
     
  9. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    THINGAMADINGY was already taken .
     
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  10. Jumbo

    Jumbo Road Train Member

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    So was WHATCHAMACALLIT.
     
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  11. Tazz

    Tazz Road Train Member

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    Trains used them first Ithink. Try looking there for info resources??
     
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