RVing Through History
Americans, it seems, have been destined to be RVers since the earliest days that explorers set foot on this continent. Adventurers at heart, settlers came in search of freedom and opportunities to grow and discover. And, discover they did – first by ship, then by horse, in groups by conestoga wagon trains, and ultimately, by motorized vehicles that became the RVs of today.
As a society, Americans are driven to and by challenges. We itch to know what lies beyond the next curve in the road or over the crest of a distant hill. We are a curious people and our quests have resulted in inventions that help us answer that call to discover.
For American pioneers, the journey of discovery was equally as important as the final destination. Unlike any other mode of transportation, traveling by RV on our highways, byways and the less-traveled back roads allows us to discover our own gems along the way. Fly over at 50,000 feet and you miss the little details – speed by on a train at 100 mph and the scenery becomes a blur. RVs allow us the convenience of making our own travel routes, time schedules and to make detours and unexpected stops at sites along the way that catch our attention. What will you discover when you go RVing?
Take a stroll (or a scroll) down memory lane and see how the RVs of today got their start as you travel through a little piece of American history via the photos below.
By the end of World War I, Americans were camping in their cars. They added tents, beds and cooking facilities to the family car - and hit the road.
In the 1920s, RVers built homes-on-wheels. They made simple wooden houses in their backyards and placed them on Model 'T' chassis.
RV camping clubs date back to the Tin Can Tourists of the 1920s and 1930s. The Tin Can Tourists were RVers who braved dust and mud to drive their Tin Lizzies across the U.S. before transcontinental roads were paved. They camped by the side of the road, heated tin cans of food on gasoline stoves, and bathed in cold water.
RVs sold in the 1930s used aircraft-style construction and came equipped with beds, dinettes, electricity, and water.
As the popularity of RVs increased, so did the need for campgrounds with more facilities.
After World War II, the RV industry flourished as more Americans sought mobility.
From tiny do-it-yourself kits to plush 30-foot models, travel trailers came into their own as true towable RVs by 1950.
Many of today's RV manufacturers started production in the 1950s and 1960s.
The RVs evolutionary path includes advances in aerodynamic design and interior comforts.
|
