SAN ANTONIO — Holt Cat is celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the first practical, track-type tractor. Benjamin Holt, great-grandfather of Peter Holt, current CEO of Holt Cat, first demonstrated his innovative design of a machine moving on self-laying tracks in November 1904. The tractor's movement inspired the name “Caterpillar,” which today is one of the best-known brands in the world.

“Over the past 100 years, the Caterpillar track-type tractor has made an essential contribution to American and global progress,” said Peter Holt, fourth generation in the Holt family to be connected with Caterpillar and its predecessors.

During 2004, Holt will celebrate the anniversary with customer appreciation events and exhibits at many of their store locations in north, east, central and south Texas. The company will display its collection of antique tractors and other machines at events scheduled throughout the year.

Holt Cat is No. 18 on the RER 100.