- Trailerama, by Phil Noyes, Gibbs Smith Publishers, 192 pages, $34.00.
IT'S a form of travel that is almost as old as the wheel, but the horse drawn covered wagon was a far cry from the comfort of the modern trailer.
The era of trailers began in the 1930s but really took off in the '50s when increased leisure time combined with growing personal finances. The love affair with the open road merged with the desire for amenities and a new industry was born as manufacturers built a wide range of trailers to meet this new demand.
Author Phil Noyes is a self-proclaimed trailerite, an enthusiastic seeker of trailer memorabilia and owner of three vintage trailers. From his own collection and those of his 'trailer tribe,' he has put together this nostalgic look at a section of pop culture that has continued to evolve and grow into today's RVs and sophisticated trailers.
The pages are filled with photographs and illustrations of these mobile units that afforded so many people the opportunity to travel inexpensively and to see vast areas of North America.
Noyes's collection shows not just family photos but also includes many advertising pictures and illustrations, photographs of Hollywood stars in their trailers, magazine covers, tent trailers, and trailer parks.
Every picture has a story to tell and provides an interesting look at the era.
