Route 66: Bathtubs, Birdcages, Manure & Bicycles    NEW!

The great American road trip and Route 66. The establishment of the U.S. Highway system and the American auto industry. An argument can easily be made that the foundation for all of these is bathtubs, birdcages, manure and bicycles. 

Louis Chevrolet was acclaimed for his skill with bicycle repair and racing long before he turned his attention to automobiles. The League of American Wheelmen was a powerful lobbying organization that fought for a national road system and for the rights of bicyclists to use public roads.  The organization's work led to the establishment of the Good Roads movement, which led to the establishment of the U.S. highway system. 

By the late 19th century cities throughout the country were dealing with an epic manure crisis. In New York City more than 2.5 million pounds of manure were being removed from streets every month. The bicycle was heralded as a partial solution. However, some visionaries such as R. E. Olds saw the automobile as the solution to the pollution and soon electric taxis and buses were rolling through city streets. 

Automobile mania replaced bicycle mania, and manufacturers of bathtubs and birdcages began producing automobiles. Automobile manufacturers promoted their vehicles through epic road trips and races. Automobile owners in search of adventure took to the roads in record numbers, and an entirely new roadside service industry was born. 

In this smile inducing and road trip inspiring program author, historian, and humorist Jim Hinckley brings the story of the dawning of the great American road trip and the auto industry to life. This instructor is presenting remotely.