x Wrote:
> ...
> 10 footers existed briefly; our local fire station
> has one for temporary storage of "evidence".


The primary users of 10-ft containers were always the
military services. One advantage was that these small
containers could be lifted on or off small trucks or
flatbed trailers with relatively small cranes.

As far as I know, there are still some 10-ft containers
in use by the military services, though 20-ft units
are now the norm.

However, the military services -- particularly the
Army and Marines -- now have "rough terrain" container
handlers that can handle larger size containers.

Photo: http://www.robl.w1.com/pix-va/I-050880.htm

These rough terrain container handlers are a special
variant of the Kalmar container handlers widely in use
at ports and inland terminals. One special feature is
that these container handlers are able to pick up
20-ft containers from the end, as shown in the
linked photo above.

The military servives now rely heavily on containers
for forward delivery of supplies.

-- Ernest