Background
Is there anything more quintessentially American than an Airstream?
Automotively, it’s as embedded in the USA’s national psyche as a Greyhound bus, a Corvette or a Model T.
Representationally, it’s a potent physical metaphor for life under big Mid-Western skies, prairie-scale horizons, epic landscapes and all sorts of bear, wolf, moose, buffalo, cougar, coyote and bandit jeopardy.
Cinematically, it’s a Best Supporting Actor to practically every iconoclastic, maverick or psychotic outsider as portrayed in countless Hollywood incarnations of the drifter, grifter or hipster.
Aesthetically, it’s in a class of its own and, just for once, is something that actually merits use of the word ‘iconic’.
Culturally, it’s got the ‘Stars ‘n’ Stripes’ running through it like a stick of rock and is as evocatively redolent of the US of A as weak beer, powerful guns and terrible cheese.
Actually, however, it’s a brilliantly designed, executed and engineered piece of achingly timeless and stylish mobile real-estate that has captured - and continues to capture - the imaginations of each and every new generation that comes to see, know and inevitably love the uniquely evocative form and idea of the ‘silver bullet’.
First introduced in the early 1930s by Wally Byam, the Airstream was designed to allow people to travel in comfort and style. The early Airstreams were built using aircraft construction techniques which made them lightweight, strong and, unsurprisingly, expensive.
Airstreams very quickly gained a following among well-heeled adventurers and travellers who appreciated their durability, flexibility and adaptability.
During the second world war, Airstream temporarily shifted its production focus to aircraft parts but resumed normal production of travel trailers after the war ended.
Airstreams became hugely popular with families looking for a way to travel, see the country and be connected to the great outdoors.
Airstreams are built to last. Being constructed from high quality materials, they are capable of withstanding years of travel and usage.
This stoic durability is one of the factors that makes them such a popular, and smart, investment for enthusiasts around the world.
In the words of Wally Byam, an Airstream trailer exists “…to stir the venturesome spirit that moves you to follow a rainbow to its end…and thus make your travel dreams come true.”
And we have a sublime example for you right here.
