When did suitcases get 4 wheels?

Generally, Bernard D. Sadow is credited with the invention of the rolling suitcase after he patented the idea in 1970. His design featured four wheels along the bottom of a suitcase with a pulling strap. Sadow's attempt was the first to catch on with travelers.



While the first recorded wheeled suitcase was made by an artist in 1928, the modern four-wheeled "gliding" suitcase was patented by Bernard D. Sadow in 1972 (filed in 1970). Sadow’s design featured four casters on the bottom and a flexible strap that allowed the traveler to "tow" the bag like a dog on a leash. However, this design was somewhat unstable and tended to topple over. It wasn't until 1987 that Northwest Airlines pilot Robert Plath invented the two-wheeled "Rollaboard" with a telescoping handle, which became the industry standard for decades. The "four-wheel" design made a major, high-tech comeback in 2004, when Samsonite introduced the first "Spinner-style" suitcases. Unlike Sadow's model, these used 360-degree rotating wheels that allowed the bag to stand upright and be pushed in any direction with minimal effort. By the 2010s, "spinners" had almost entirely taken over the market because they significantly reduced the physical strain on the traveler’s shoulder. Today, in 2026, the 4-wheel spinner is the definitive global standard for travelers of all ages.

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The suitcase had to adapt, as a 1970 patent by Bernard Sadow explained: Whereas formerly luggage would be handled by porters and be loaded or unloaded at points convenient to the street, the large terminals of today, particularly air terminals, have increased the difficulty of baggage handling.

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For those not familiar with the terminology, a spinner suitcase is an upright bag with four wheels (as opposed to roller luggage, which has only two wheels). While it's absolutely not always the case, spinner suitcases are often hard-sided, while roller bags are more often soft-sided.

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Vintage luggage are rather unique collector's items in that you can find pieces for as little as $5 and as much as $5,000 depending on their quality, age, and most importantly, their brand.

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The Crew Expandable Rollaboard Suiter can even be spotted jetting across the country in the 2009 movie Up in the Air, starring George Clooney.

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As far as status symbol suitcases go, none can rival Louis Vuitton luggage—the 169-year-old brand has its roots in luxury trunks after all. This perennial classic can also be customized in a variety of ways, whether you want to add stripe details, change up the colors, or monogram with your initials.

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Consider hard-shell luggage if you want durable, easy-to-maneuver luggage with a robust exterior to protect your valuables. Soft-shell luggage can be for you if you're seeking versatility, ease of packing, and a big interior.

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In the late 19th century, the first luggage known as "suit cases" or "suit-cases", which were meant to carry dress suits without wrinkling them, came about. The earliest models of suitcases were invented by British businessmen, who used them to carry goods and clothing.

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Of course you can — but whether it's a good idea or not is another question. You'd probably need to replace all four wheels — and whether you can purchase suitable ones is questionable.

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Here's the thing. They both have their pros and cons, so it all comes down to how you're traveling, how often, and where you're going. Spinner luggage is more susceptible to breakage because the wheels move in different directions. This is especially true when you're rolling over uneven surfaces like cobblestone.

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