The Great Depression wasn’t a time of frivolous extras, but surprisingly, this was the start of the Airstream travel trailer.  In a coincidence of occurrences, the dismal state of the economy, combined with the United States government working towards creating a standardized highway system, combined with people’s desire to escape their troubles, allowed for the perfect introduction to American road travel.

Typical of many “greats”, the Airstream company began humbly and somewhat accidentally. Wally Byam, a young magazine publisher, published an instruction guide outlining how to build your own camping trailer.  Many readers attempted to follow the camping trailer guide yet ran into difficulties and then complained to the magazine.  In an effort figure out where his readers were encountering problems, Wally set out to build his own trailer in his backyard.  Upon near completion of each trailer, Wally would end up selling it to someone, causing him to continuously restart building another trailer from scratch.  With each new trailer Wally would begin making additional improvements and start calling his designs “Airstreams”.

Some of the improvements Wally made to his version of the trailer included making the camper tall enough for people to stand up while inside of it.  Imagine the luxury of being able to stand upright rather than stooping uncomfortably!  Other extravagances started making their way into Wally’s trailers such as a dinette that could convert into a bed, sensibly maximizing all use of space.  Trailers were outfitted with a container so there was a water supply on hand and gasoline stoves allowed for cooking better, delicious meals while traveling or camping.

Wally’s personal history of traveling, serving as a merchant marine, graduating from law school, becoming a publisher, led him to create - of all things - trailers in his backyard, allowing him to understand not only the comforts of travel, but the physics of it as well.  This knowledge, combined with his association with William Hawley Bowlus, a pioneer airplane designer, helped Wally improve on the aerodynamics of his creations.  His trailers were originally made out of plywood, but as they became more developed, he started to incorporate ideas borrowed from the aircraft industry.  Wally shaped his trailers so they were curved and sleek, better to disperse the flow to air around its body.  He also focused on the weight of his trailers, to better improve their towing strength.  However, it wasn’t until 1936 that the trailer took on the look that will forever be worn by an Airstream.  This particular model was named the “Clipper” and was a very advanced and luxurious trailer for its day, featuring a riveted aluminum exterior, the ability to sleep four passengers and even power electric lights. 

The Clipper came with a hefty price tag, especially considering the depression era.  Despite the expense, however, demand was high for an Airstream.  The unique trailers increased in popularity until a few years later when the country was once again diverted by World War II.  The war required that the country’s resources, especially items such as tires, aluminum and gasoline, be collaborated and conserved.  At this point, Wally turned his attention from making recreational vehicles to lending his skills to the war effort.  The time Wally spent assisting in the war effort increased his understanding and knowledge of trailer fabrication.  Once the war ended and the country’s economy turned around, the Airstream trailers took off in popularity once again. 

From the very beginning to the current day, there are a number of different types of Airstream recreational vehicles now on the road.  They come in a multitude of different sizes and styles.  Because of this, there seems to be an Airstream that fits most every traveling desire.  People today still chose Airstreams because of their classic good looks and their comfortable layouts.  Evolving to continuously meet the needs of its appreciative audience, the Airstream’s quiet, and unintended beginnings have brought many people much happy traveling.  And the rest is, as we say, history!