Origins
In 1930, Arthur Sherman put the first modern, mass-produced trailer on the market, called a Covered Wagon. His year's sales totaled $56,000.
Mass Production
By the mid 1930s, nearly 400 different companies produced travel trailers. Of those, only Airstream, an icon Wally Byam created in his backyard for $100, remains.
Popularity
From the 1930s through the 1950s, "trailerites" formed clubs and published magazines on their hobby all over the United States. People were attracted to trailers for their ease, comfort and pioneer nostalgia.
Practicality
Migrant or itinerant workers also used travel trailers as housing, while moving from job to job. They often built their own makeshift versions.
Symbolism
Whether for recreational or practical use, trailers became symbols of mobility, providing hope for the poor and unemployed during the Great Depression.
Famous Ties
When inventor Thomas Edison, industrialist Henry Ford, and President Warren G. Harding went camping together in 1921, they reportedly used travel trailers, while aviator Charles Lindbergh also owned one.
Article Written By Kelly Aspen
Kelly Aspen's writing focuses on natural places, cultural sites and wildlife. She has nine years of experience as an editor and writer for magazines, books and websites, including Trails.com, Travels.com and Weekendnotes.com. She attended Vassar College and now lives in the mountains of Colorado.
