Ralph H. Kress (July 10, 1904 – June 28, 1995)[1][2] was an engineer who has been credited with designing off-road mining trucks.
He was inducted into the National Mining Hall of Fame, who referred to him as "The Father Of The Off-Highway Truck", in 2001.
[3] Kress attended night school at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1933 through 1939, receiving an engineering degree.
After working for General Motors, he was commissioned in the Transportation Corps in March 1943, and later received the Legion of Merit.
He then joined Kress Corporation, his son's company, and developed further trucks, including one with 90-degree steering capability.