The 1936 Airstream Clipper

 Streamlined Car

      The streamline style of the 1930s was a result of the Art Deco style that originated in Paris in the 20s.  This sleek, simple modern look was used widely in the designs of cars, furniture, and of course the iconic Airstream Clipper trailer.  William Hawley Bowlus was one of the first builders of the streamlined trailers.  He was the first to produced the aluminum Road Chief trailer that was shaped like an airplane fuselage.  

Road Chief 

      After Bowlus' company went bankrupt in 1936 Byam purchased some of his equipment and hired a number of his employees and redesigned Bowlus' trailer into the Airstream Clipper.  Byam installed roll-up windows and moved the door of the trailer to the side which allowed for the front edges to disappear.  He also moved the chassis between the wheels and raised the covers for a larger interior.  Today only a handful of Clippers remain but the look and feel of past and current Airstreams all originated from the original design.

Airstream Clipper

Sources:

Lopez Cotelo, B. "Airstream Clipper." Tectonica Blog, 21 January 2010. Web. 5 Nov 2012. <http://tectonicablog
      .com/?p=4470>.
Strongman, Tom. "1936 Airstream Clipper." Tom Strongman's Auto Ink, 17 September 2012. Web. 9 Dec. 2012. 
      <http://tomstrongman.com/1936-airstream-clipper-3/>.