No, but I can tell you it's been around over 21 years, that being my time in the trade. And it's been a requirement for some jobs for that long. Maybe some old dude will help you out.
Ever try to safely move a 50 gallon drum with no tools or dollys ? You "walk" it by levering it up a few inches or more, and roll it back and forth and slowly forward with each side to side motion. That's my take on at least how it got its name.