Design Icons: The Airstream
The Airstream has been referenced for its clean styling, beautiful silver color and it’s iconic shape. For some airstreams are a way of life for others a way of relaxing. Wally Byam was the genius mind behind the iconic shape. In 1936 the first Airstream was produced and dubbed the clipper.
The airstream was the first of the now familiar sausage-shaped, silver aluminum Airstream trailers. Of more than 400 travel trailer builders operating in 1936, Airstream was the sole survivor of the Depression.
During World War II travel became a luxury that most could not afford. The Airstream has progressed to being one of the most well known trailers in the US. Mini made by BMW recently teamed up with Airstream to make a custom trailer to match a modified Mini Cooper. The combo was a fun with clean crisp design at heart. They were available in fresh colors and flower prints. The Airstream even had a built-in sun-bathing bed.
The Airstreams legacy has lived through the past decades and will be around for many more to come. You have to admit, it’s hard to argue with something that has such clean lines and a beautiful silver shine. Getting older just means that you can finally afford to get an airstream.
Chad Engle is currently slaying pixels @BoomtownROI. He abides in coastal Charleston, SC and enjoys living on an island. You should follow, harass or chat to him on twitter @chadengle and @fuelcreativity .
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Quite Creative
beautiful icons.
I love Airstreams — my friends know to point them out to me every time they see one. Thanks for the gorgeous images!
Amazing, 2 icons. However, a Land Rover Defender would be a better towing vehicle and is much cooler :D
The genius mind behind the iconic shape was not Byam, but Hawley Bowlus. Byam started producing Masonite trailers in 1931. Bowlus’ company ran into financial difficulty during the depression, and Byam bought the company. In 1936 Airstream manufactured the Clipper, which was the same as a 1935 Bowlus, but with the door moved from the front to the side. Airstream has managed their own mythology quite well.