A Brief History of Airstream Trailers

Wally Byam was the inventor of the Airstream trailer; for many, the classic mobile home design.

His love of traveling began as a boy, accompanying his grandfather on his trips as a mule train leader in Oregon. As a young man, Byam worked as a shepherd, living in a tiny donkey cart. These early life experiences inspired him toward his very round-about career path as a pioneer mobile home designer.

Do-It-Yourselfer

Wally Byam graduated from law school at Stanford University, but he never became a lawyer. He did, however, become an advertising copywriter, but didn't like that either. After his stint in advertising, he became a magazine publisher.

The favorite of his magazines was aimed at do-it-yourselfers. In this magazine, he wrote and published an article "How to Build a Trailer for One Hundred Dollars." To Byam's surprise, the article triggered a strong response from readers. Many sent letters asking for more detailed plans of the trailer design. Seizing on the opportunity, Byam created a detailed plan and sold them for $1 each. Again to his surprise, he made $15,000 - and this was in the 1920s.

The Trailer

In 1929, Byam decided to build his own trailer in his Los Angeles backyard. He started with a Ford Model T chassis; added a platform to the chassis; and erected a tent on the platform. Because this wasn't the perfect trailer design, Byam kept improving on it.

Eventually his design breakthrough came. This happened after deciding to drop the trailer's floor between the wheels. This allowed him to raise the ceiling. More important, this allowed inhabitants the ability to stand up inside the trailer.

Despite the Depression, orders for Byam's trailer came pouring in. By 1930, he made trailer manufacturing a full-time business.

Because his first trailers were made out of plywood, he wasn't satisfied with the material's abilities to withstand the elements. His next design breakthrough came when he began incorporating aircraft construction techniques for a more streamlined and aerodynamic look.

The Clipper

In 1934, Byam finally came up with a name for his company: Airstream. At the time, the top of the Airstream line was the "Clipper", a model that expanded the trailer to a mobile home.

The Clipper had a riveted aerodynamic aluminum body that could sleep four. Its bells and whistles included its own water supply, dry-ice air conditioning, full electricity, and a chemical toilet. Another notable innovation was the escape window in the back in case the side door was jammed. It was the first real home on wheels.

Airstream Company

During the thirties, Airstream had stiff competition from other companies. At one point in Byam's career, his company faced 400 competitors. Quality won out and Airstream has remained the sole survivor.

Wally Byam once said that his ideal trailer was one could live in the middle of the Gobi Desert in an Airstream experiencing "gracious metropolitan luxury without relocating, refueling, recharging, or regretting."

He died in 1962, and the Airstream remains the industry standard. In 2007, 60% of the originals are still on the road.

SOURCES:

"Wally Byam", WIkipedia

"Airstream history", Designboom

"Airstream", Sarah McNeill, Brandchannel