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The Pallet evolved in stages. Spacers were used between loads to allow fork entry, progressing to the placement of boards atop stringers to make skids. Eventually boards were fastened to the bottom to create the Pallet. The use of pallets was not necessarily critical to the stacking of all loads, however. The major requirement of stacking was the availability of spacing for fork entry. Loads such as lumber had adequate bridging strength so as not to require the support of a skid deck. For this type of load, entry spacing was often accomplished by the placement of spacers or 2x4s under or between unit loads. This process, however, involved the potentially unsafe and time consuming practice of the operator frequently climbing out on the front of the lift truck to place the 2x4s or having them placed by another worker. The driver might also have had to frequently dismount to hunt for 2x4s to replenish his supply.