The Wikipedia article, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea-Land_Service, is more interesting from the historical point of view. As I read it, McLean had the idea of using trailers to ship cargo around the world, originally with the ordinary trailer chassis. When that proved less than optimal. The system was refined by Tantlinger to become today's system of stackable containers and dockside cranes.

Aside: Containers make fairly inexpensive storage, if you have a place to put the container and dont mind lowering the property values for your neighbor hood. A decade ago I rented one for $70 a month.