Happy Birthday Wally Byam!

Wally Byam was born in Baker, OR on July 4, 1896. He was meant to build travel trailers. He camped as a young boy while leading an Oregon mule train with his grandfather. He soon became a shepherd, living for months at a time in a mule cart with his camping gear. That connection with his later life is obvious. Even then he must have known there was a better and more interesting way to travel. He eventually completed law school but shunned the profession. He would become a magazine publisher, an experience which would help him later publicize his beloved Airstreams and international caravans. In about 1928 Wally published plans for building a $100 travel trailer in Popular Mechanics. Complete plans sold for $5.00. In 1931 he opened a manufacturing plant to build the Torpedo Car Cruiser. The Great Depression never stopped him. By the end of it every trailer company (300) in the U.S. went broke except Airstream. In 1935 Dr. Norman Holman purchased Wally’s plans and built a trailer out of scrap wood and metal. That Airstream is still on the road, and the late Dr. Holman’s son brought the famous little trailer to this year’s rally.

By the 1950s, Wally introduced a totally new concept in travel and recreation. He had become popular for his famous caravans, which he personally led. They included rigorous travel trailer trips to Canada, Central America, Africa and China. When the Airstreams got stuck on the primitive roads, Wally winched them out with his Jeep. When bridges were inadequate, Wally and his fellow caravanners rebuilt them.

Modern airstreams represent an American icon. They come in many varieties with all kinds of amenities. They are used by NASA and are seen in numerous movies and TV shows. President Kennedy used an Airstream as a mobile office. Truck companies wanting to tout the towing power of their vehicles like to show them pulling “silver bullets.” Many collectors pay thousands of dollars for old Airstreams. They have their own Vintage Club within WBCCI.

Wally Byam died in his sleep in 1962 of a brain tumor; however, his name is immortal.