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1941 - 1950
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The
growth of RV industry halted during the World War
II. Trailers began to serve different function as
housing for war workers. When it resumed, the manufacturers
began to become attracted to the house car image and
many began to build what were truly motorized versions
of their trailers. This changed the world of recreational
vehicles nearly overnight. The future of the motorhome
was assured as recognized manufacturers began to make
them available although still quite prohibitive in
price.
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1940,
Howard Hughes Bus
Photo Courtesy of John Agnew, www.funkyjunkfarms.com
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This bus was built in 1940 by Howard Hughes, legendary
movie producer and director. It is one of eight buses
he built when he was with RKO Studios. They served
as his mobile dressing rooms for location filming.
The bus has mahogany interior equipped with a full
instrumental dash board, airplane seats, bathroom
with toilet and shower, |
electric refrigerator, stove, oven, swamp cooler air
condition and a generator for the remote desert and
mountain location.
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1942,
Palace Expando
Source: Atlas
Mobile Home Directory
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In
1942 the Palace Corporation came out with a revolutionay
new type of trailer, one that expanded out on both
sides. The model featured four rooms and a shower
bath. The US Army purchased thousands of these models
as base housing for the enlisted men and their families.
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1944,
New Moon
Source: Atlas
Mobile Home Directory
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In
1944 the Redman Trailer Company from Alma, Michigan
was producing the New Moon line of trailers and claimed
that they were the world's largest trailers. These
trailers were to be available as housing for the bonafide
war workers.
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1946,
Airfloat
Source: Atlas
Mobile Home Directory
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This
1946 Airfloat Trailer was entirely constructed of
aluminum. Aerodynamic principles combined with streamline
design are the features of the trailer.
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1946,
Wooden Motor Home
Source: Atlas
Mobile Home Directory
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A
fascinating 1946 Chevrolet motor home. This vehicle
was owner-built from a new chassis. It attracted so
much attention on the road that vacation travel was
hampered by all of the people gawking and asking questions.
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1947,
Cabin Car
Source: Atlas
Mobile Home Directory
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All
woodie trailer has a really attractive profile and
pleasing construction. It has its wheels well to the
rear - at a guess, it would put one quarter to one
third of its weight on the hitch and the remainder
on its wheels.
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1947, Shoreland Tandem
Source: www.lnqs.com |
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In
1947, Streamlite Trailer Company from Illinois, offered
a really nice 30 foot long trailer called 'Shoreland
Tandem Town and Country' with various hardwoods, chromimum
hardware and electric light fixtures and even boasted
extra |
insulation.
The trailer had 3 rooms and was a great attraction
back in 1947. Many of its innovative features later
became industry standards. Donald Hamm designed this
30-footer to match Chrysler's own and Country woodie.
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1947,
Flxible Bus conversion
Source: National Archives of Canada
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The
Flxible bus converted into a motor home with two bird
watchers on the roof. |
1947,
Redman Trailer Coach
Source: Atlas
Mobile Home Directory
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From
1944 to 1953, Redman Trailer Company (Alma, Michigan)
developed New Moon, a significantly longer line of
trailers than others in the industry. In 1947, this
trailer was "the world's largest trailer".
In response to the success of its New Moon units,
the company took the name New Moon Homes. (See
1951-1960).
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1948,
Land Cruiser Coach
Source: Unknown |
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In
1948, the Flxible Bus Company began a division making
Land Cruiser custom coaches. This division was sold
to Miles Elmers of Columbus, Ohio, in 1955 and renamed
Custom Coach Corporation, which still converts bus
chassis today. The
custom built Flxible Land Cruiser wasbuilt as a |
unit on it's own chassis and completely outfited for
away from home living. The coach was completly self
contained with it's own motor driven 110 volt electrical
system, air conditioning, hot and cold runing water,
complete electric galley with refrigerator, fresh
store locker and shower with toilet facilities. The
spacious accommodations could comfortably sleep six.
Also featured was rear storage along with front and
rear exits for added safety.
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1949,
Spartans
Source: www.lnqs.com
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From
1946 to 1959 Spartan Aircraft Company, famous since
1928 for luxury aircraft, had a very extensive line
of all-aluminium trailers with 19 models. The largest
reaching 10 feet wide by 50 feet long. They used
building techniques and designs that they had mastered
in the aircraft building industry.The trailers had
a modern look with many deco design elements.They
were furnished in the latest of styles from couches
to window coverings.
In 1949, Spartans offered five models. The smallest
Spartanette was 25 feet long. The Spartan Manor
was 26 feet long. The next size was the 26 feet
Manor Tandem. Spartan Mansion was 30 feet long and
Spartan Royal Mansion as 33 feet long.
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1950,
Boyer Phaeton
Source: Atlas
Mobile Home Directory
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The 1950 Boyer Phaeton was a ver unusual two-story
type of trailer. Only a handful of these units were
built. |
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1961-1970
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THOSE
FIRST WOMEN DRIVERS!
Bertha Benz, wife of Karl Benz, the father
of the automobile, became the world's first
woman driver. She drove with her 14 and 15
year old sons the newly constructed automobile
August 5, 1888 from Mannheim to Pforzheim
over a distance of 106 km. Other drives before
were short and just trials with other persons
helping. She did it without permission of
her husband.
***
The first woman driver in North America was
Genevra Mudge of New York City in December
of 1899.
***
ONTARIO'S FIRST DRIVER'S LICENCES
Owners of automobiles were not required to
have a driver's licence up until 1927. The
first driver's licence was introduced in 1909
as an attempt by the government to crack down
on reckless driving. Only drivers who did
not own their own vehicles were required to
have a driver's licence because it was assumed
that motor vehicle owners drove carefully
in order to preserve their expensive assets.
The government did give drivers without cars
something that put them in a class all by
themselves -- the title of Chauffeur!
.
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ONTARIO'S FIRST MOTORCYCLE PATROL
Ontario's first motorcycle patrol unit was
established in 1919. The motorcycle unit was
independent up until 1930 when it joined the
Ontario Provincial Police. It was then that
the motorcycle officers received their first
uniforms. Still, for the next 16 years, they
still had to buy their own motorcycles if
they wanted to keep their job..
***
ONTARIO'S FIRST SPEED TRAPS
In the early days, police officers used stop
watches to calculate the speed of motorists,
but there was another method that was a little
controversial. Officers threw planks studded
with nails in the path of oncoming traffic.
If a motorist stopped before the planks, then
it was assumed that he was driving within
the speed limit. If he couldn't, he got a
fine and a flat tire.
***
ONTARIO'S
FIRST TRAFFIC LIGHT
Traffic
lights did not make their debut in Ontario
until July 11, 1925 at the intersection of
King and Main streets in Hamilton. A month
later, traffic lights were introduced in Toronto
at the Yonge and Bloor intersection. Before
traffic lights, there were "semaphores",
a manually operated traffic signal. It consisted
of moveable signs that guided drivers through
the intersections. |
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