Wednesday, February 2, 2011

EPIC TRAILERS OF HISTORY! (A Story of Stuff)

For millennia, people have had an infatuation with stuff, more importantly having their stuff with them, while in pursuit of more stuff. The need for trailers in some shape or form has essentially been a NEED since the invention of the wheel… once again, because of all this stuff. Today I’m going to go through an abbreviated list of the many different types of trailers that have been used throughout history.

Cart (5000 B.C.)
The cart is the original two-wheeled trailer. Used since the invention of the wheel, and pulled by virtually every capable domesticated animal . It was needed to carry and transport goods (STUFF) from point a to point b.

Chariot (3000 B.C.)
This early horse-drawn trailer was originally designed as a status symbol for early Mesopotamians. Leaders of war quickly adapted the chariot to mow down enemies while staying relatively safe. To acquire what, you ask?-STUFF

Sleigh (800 A.D.)
The oldest Sleighs found were excavated from the Viking built Oseberg ship in 1905. Still used today for both work and recreation, the sleigh works better than the wheel when transporting people and goods (cold STUFF) across ice, snow, and mud.
Les deux carrosses

Rickshaw (1700 A.D.)
Although, push versions of the rickshaw were documented much earlier by the Dutch, it wasn’t until 1707 that a modern pull behind version was documented in a painting by Claude Gillot entitled Les deux carrosses. The rickshaw was made popular by the Japanese as a mode of transportation for upper class citizens (Stuffy STUFF). Rickshaws are still employed today mainly as a mode of entertainment rather than transportation.

Covered wagon (1750 A.D.)
Much like the modern day SUVs, the covered wagon was designed much like ships of their time, capable of toting a hefty 12,000lbs of cargo and passengers (STUFF). Horses and oxen supplied the engine to provide early German settlers in America a means of safe travel into the unknown wilderness.-Oregon Trail anyone?

Locomotive (1800 A.D)
Nearly every child in America has had a fascination with trains.  Locomotive derived from the Latin (loco)-“from a place”, is an engine pulling a system of cars (basically trailers) on a stationary track carrying all types of cargo (STUFF to the masses).

Modern (1900A.D.-Present)
Since the mass production of automobiles there has been a trailer designed for every type of lifestyle imaginable. Whether it is Equestrian, ATV, Motorcycle, Camping, Watercraft, Semi, Utility, or Long distance rentals, trailers in some shape or form are here to stay.


Even though human beings as a species are no longer considered nomadic beings, we still hold on to our roots traveling to places which sustain our livelihood and happiness. STUFF plays a huge role in our daily lives no matter who we are or where we were born. In a way, it is STUFF that drives us to compete and achieve things never thought possible by our predecessors, generation after generation. Show me a minimalist and I’ll show you a person who has benefited from STUFF!

Travis Mai - Hitch Guy™


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