RV History
-Some early inventors incorporated aircraft and marine technology into
their RV designs
-Many started their businesses in their garages or backyards.
-At least one used Karo syrup as a building material
-Early travel trailers ended up as permanent housing for families during
the Great Depression
-One manufacturer redesigned his trailer with ski’s to transport
surveillance equipment over the ice during World War II
-Several manufacturers built travel trailers to transport or house troops
and defense workers during WWII
-After the war, motorhomes led to a new means of recreation for growing,
prosperous post war families
-One type of motorhome was used by troops gathering information about
the enemy during the war in Viet Nam
-One company, which ended up being an economic savior to small
Midwestern town, almost went bankrupt before it was started. Then a few
year later, it burned to the ground.
-One industry leader opened up the world to RV travelers
-Some companies, established during the Great Depression, could not
survive the oil embargo and inflation of the 1970’s
-The industry has grown to employ thousands of workers, served millions
of consumers and pumps billions of dollars annually into our nation’s
economy
