The study of America’s early wagons
doesn’t just intrigue me - it has a massive depth
that humbles me.
For the past few months, I’ve been working
on a presentation for the upcoming symposium on horse-drawn vehicles presented
by the Carriage Association of America and Colonial Williamsburg. I was initially asked to present details
related to the hauling of military ordnance on the American frontier. Ultimately, I do plan to report a bit on that
topic but the area that truly fascinates me is that of technology and design
innovation in the world of wooden wagons.
For many, it probably sounds a bit strange
to connect the thought of ‘technology’ to horse-drawn wagons. In truth, there is a lot we can learn by
dissecting these old pieces. As with
today’s automobiles, every part of these rolling workhorses was driven by a
design need. As a result, every part had a beginning.
Understanding the why's, when's, and how's of these areas can be invaluable when we’re evaluating a
timeframe of manufacture, authenticity traits, originality claims, brand
identity, and even vehicle provenance.
While I’m looking forward to the
presentation, I’m also looking forward to reconnecting with colleagues and
meeting new friends. Hope to see you
there.
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