It seems to me that it might be easier
to discuss the existence of the Easter bunny compared to the challenges of
convincing some that America’s first transportation industry
was full of innovation. After all, antique horse-drawn vehicles are
just raw and rudimentary efforts that are only slightly elevated over stone age
tools, right? Of course, that’s wrong
but some perceptions can be hard to overcome.
Decades ago, when I began researching
this subject, I came across a number of period materials outlining the size and
complexity of America’s early transportation industry. It was the first of many breakthroughs
helping highlight the need for sufficient historical reports. In the process, the discoveries opened doors
to countless intriguing – and still untold – stories. I’ll never forget the first time I accessed
U.S. patent records related to horse-drawn wagons. With thousands upon thousands of patents
filed and granted in the nineteenth century, it was dizzying to see so much ingenuity
occurring in what is often called ‘simpler’ times.
Equally impressive, many of these ideas
have served as foundational concepts for a wealth of advancements in the auto
industry. After all, horse drawn
vehicles were the primary method of wheeled transportation in America for
roughly 200 years and many of the most basic requirements remain similar today. During the mid to late 1800’s and early
1900’s, numerous designs were created, adapted, and evolved for purposes of
the day. Some of those ideas have even
become part of our most modern needs and activities.
So, with intellectual property being
such a hot topic and well-known part of business these days, I thought we’d take
a look at some wheeled ideas born at least a century ago that
are still being used.
The
Pop-Up Camper…
Surely, one of
the great space-saving innovations of the mid to late 20th century is the
pop-up camper. It’s easy to tow, stow, maneuver,
and use while packing a wealth of space for outdoor camping trips. It seems natural that something so advanced
would have been developed by modern minds focused on a shrinking world and the
need for efficient, cost-effective, multi-purpose designs, right? Well, not exactly.
Believe it or
not, these concepts were first engineered for and incorporated into horse-drawn
wagons. That’s right… Wagons. Even in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s,
camping was a popular activity in America.
So, it’s fairly easy to find a number of patents covering variations of
pop-up and adjustable camp transportation.
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This patent for a pop-up wagon camper was filed more than a century ago in 1916. |
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While not a
pop-up design, the McMaster Camping Car (wagon) was one of America’s first true
RV campers. It was patented in the
1880’s, included a host of home-style comforts, and was actually used on
excursions within Yellowstone National Park.
I wrote a blog on this ultra-rare vehicle some time ago.
The
Refrigerated Truck…
From beverages
and perishable foods to medical needs, refrigerated trucks and trailers are a very
common sight today. Incredibly, it’s an
idea with roots to horse-drawn wagons and dates to as early as the 1870’s.
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This beverage cooler was designed for horse-drawn wagons. It dates to the early part of 1879 and incorporates block ice and ventilation fans for optimum refrigeration. |
Mobile
Scissor Lifts…
In today’s
worlds of manufacturing, construction, maintenance, and repair, the convenience
of mobile scissor lifts continues to play a vital role. More secure than simple extension ladders and
having an expanded work space, these rolling scaffolds are equipped for a
multitude of uses. Even so, it’s a
concept that’s been a part of American life for well over a century. In fact, the 1904 patent image below clearly
shows the benefits of having an adjustable platform on wheels.
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Built-in
Tailgate Steps…
Those 21st
century ‘step’ additions to the rear bumpers and tailgates of pickup trucks
must be an overdue idea, right? I mean,
climbing into the back of a truck bed can be hard on the back and knees,
especially if you’re carrying a load. Well,
back in the 1890's, the challenge was the same for our ancestors. As a result, having a collapsible step
attached to a wagon’s end gate (tailgate) was an equally important idea to some
folks. Take a look at the patent image
below.
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It seems that the old adage about ‘the
more things change, the more they stay the same,’ still has a lot of
merit. As such, the early innovations I
shared above are just a few of the ideas initiated during the world of
wagons that have found their way into modern life. Twin axle steering control, fixed axle
steering, leaf spring suspension, bead locks for wheels/tires, run-flat tires, convertible tops, vehicle fenders, dump bed designs, automatic
brakes, and so many other concepts that were drawn up in the horse-drawn era remain
as pertinent ideas today.
No matter how deceivingly simple it may
appear, America’s first transportation industry and the specialized needs of
wagons moving west created a world of innovation. It’s a legacy so strong that we're still benefiting from ideas born in the horse-drawn age.
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