by Laura Diaz and Joe Jeffrey
For over 80 years, Aistream has been an American tradition. But, how did the successful company come about? To celebrate American Independence Day, CaravanTimes has the scoop just for you
It’s a double celebration today at CaravanTimes! 4 July marks not only American Independence, but also the birthday of Airstream founder, Wally Byam. Now that’s what we call an all-American jubilee. To commemorate the occasion, we present to you a history of Airstream as well as the detailing the journey of the man who made it all possible – Wally Byam. So pass the root beer, take those whoopee pies away from us immediately before we eat the whole lot and enjoy the story.
A self-made man, Byam was born on 4 July, 1896, on – undisputedly – the most American day of the year. His love of travelling was deeply engraved upon him throughout extensive travels with his grandfather. During this time, Byam also worked as a shepherd and lived in a two-wheeled shepherd’s cart. His humble beginnings were by no means a reflection of the successful future that lay ahead, as well as the attention his designs garnered from not just Joe Public, but celebrities alike.
Caravan Beginnings
Byam decided to step foot into the world of motorhomes because he felt inspired to build his own travel trailer. His first endeavour consisted of writing an article, including plans on how to build a travel trailer for under $100 (around £60 in today’s money), a mode of new transport, which received a substantial amount of attention, and a price we at CaravanTimes wish Airstreams were today.
Another factor in Byam’s success were the developments the United States underwent during the 1920s. Americans were growing more interested in travelling on the improved road system. With this boom in holiday transportation, Byam seized the opportunity by selling his sets of plans for five dollars a pop. He also took to his back yard in Los Angeles, where he built trailers to sell whilst also selling trailer kits to discerning motorhomers.
Surviving the big crash of 1926, a year later Byam had abandoned his previous career of advertising and publishing to concentrate on being a full0time builder of Masonite travel trailers and the Airstream Company was subsequently incorporated in 1931.
Birth of the Airstream
It was five years later, on 17 January 1936, that the Airstream Trailer Co. released the Clipper and the brand, Airstream, was placed onto the map. The Clipper was of similar design to the Road Chief, a trailer previously designed by former aircraft designer, Hawley Bowlus. However, the Clipper had one distinct difference – the door was positioned on the side.
Able to sleep four comfortably, the Clipper boasted an advanced insulation and ventilation system – unheard of at the time – and sold for $1,200. Despite being of premium price, people bought the Clipper in droves and the deluge of orders coming in thick and fast proved to be somewhat problematic. However, owing to the popularity of the Clipper, Airstream managed to survive the effect of the Great Depression and flourished, whereas the additional 400 plus travel trailer manufacturers became doomed.
Don’t talk about the war
Upon America’s involvement in World War II, the price of materials required for travel trailers skyrocketed whilst, in stark contrast, leisure travel waned. Airstream closed its doors temporarily and Byam concentrated his efforts on aluminum fabricating in the aircraft industry.
In 1948, following the end of the war, the economy bounced back, as did recreational travel. Byam reopened Airstream and business began to boom. Four years later, the company set up a production facility in Ohio to cater for the eastern market and the Californian factory previously set up was moved to larger facilities to cope with greater demand.
Europe and Beyond
In 1956, Byam travelled to Europe in a Gold Anodized trailer, towed by a Cadillac. It seriously couldn’t have been more of an ‘American’ publicity stunt and the marketing trick saw people take note of the Airstream. Sadly, however, Byam developed a brain tumour six years later and died. The Airstream brand, however, has not.
The luxury recreational vehicle, now owned by Thor Industries, still flourishes to this day and there are more than a dozen Airstream parks throughout the States where owners of the brand are able to buy, rent or lease pitches.
It’s not just those of us who enjoy the casual short trip that have benefited from the Airstream, though. In 1969, following their return from the Moon, the crew of Apollo 11 were quarantined in an airtight Airstream trailer for fear they had also brought back lunar pathogens with them. NASA still incorporates the Airstream into the running of their facilities today and has aptly dubbed the model they use, the Airstream Excella, the Astrovan.
So, on the odd occasion you do see an Airstream zoom on by, spare a thought for Wally Byam and make sure you pledge allegiance to the man who started it all stateside.
