The Airstream company was started by Wallace Merle Byam. During the late 1920’s, Americans were beginning to take to the roads in greater and greater numbers. Wally’s new trailer was a perfect match for the new mobile lifestyle. Wally began making a living selling sets of plans for five dollars each, complete trailer kits, and finished trailers he built in his Los Angeles backyard. The fledgling business survived the crash of 1929, and by 1930 he had abandoned law, advertising, and publishing to become a full-time builder of travel trailers. Of more than 300 trailer builders operating in 1936, Airstream was the only one to emerge from the Depression years. However, with the onset of World War II, leisure travel and the materials necessary to build trailers both became luxuries the country could not afford. Airstream Trailer Co. closed its doors. Wally decided that the best way to help the war effort was to use his experience with aluminum fabricating in the aircraft industry — taking positions at Lockheed and Curtis Wright for the duration of the war. When World War II ended, the economy boomed and people’s attention once again turned towards the open road. By 1948 the demand for Airstream trailers seemed to know no bounds, and like the Coca-Cola™ bottle and Zippo™ lighter, Airstreams became one of the most recognizable products in the world. TIMELINE EVENTS : +New manufacturing plant built 1971 +Argosy trailer put on the market 1971 (1972 Model) +Argosy motorhome introduced 1973 (1974 Model) +Service building built 1974 +Thor Industries purchased Airstream 1979 +First Airstream Classic Motorhome 1979 +First Triple Axle Trailer 1983 +First square Argosy Trailer 1986 +First Argosy Fifth Wheel 1988 +First Land Yacht Trailer 1989 +First Land Yacht Fifth Wheel 1989 +First B Van 1989 With the help of an extremely dedicated and loyal Airstreamer community, Airstream continues to innovate and flourish. Airstream is currently undergoing a renaissance — with more new products being developed than at any other time in the company’s history. Motorhomes with Skydecks™ and ultra-stylish CCD travel trailers are just some of Airstream's originative products currently creating waves throughout the RV industry. CCD InteriorAs a testament to Airstream’s long tradition of design and manufacturing excellence, Airstreams can be found in both the Smithsonian Institution and Henry Ford Museum. NASA selected an Airstream trailer to house the first astronauts back from the moon and still uses Airstream motorhomes as an integral part of the space shuttle program. As another example, John F. Kennedy chose an Airstream as his mobile presidential office. Today, Airstreams can be found in the lobby of MTV, on movie sets, and on display at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Airstream’s appeal is as strong as ever. The Wally Byam Caravan Club International (WBCCI) is 10,000 member-strong and holds nearly 1,500 rallies annually. Airstreams are regularly seen in movies and on television. They can be found at Airstream-only campgrounds, used as traveling medical facilities, and of course, cruising into the sunset. Over 60% of all Airstreams ever built — including some built from the original five-dollar plans — are still rolling down the highways. Airstreams have survived millions of miles across some of the roughest roads in the world and Airstreamers have enjoyed the freedom to go where others only dream of traveling. Airstreams are truly an American legend. Source: http://www.airstream.com/company/history.html

The company was founded by Wallace "Wally" Byam, who began building Masonite trailers in his backyard in Los Angeles during the late 1920s. Byam, a lawyer by training, published a magazine selling "how-to" kits to customers wishing to build their own trailers. He then acquired the struggling Bowlus Company. In 1936 Byam introduced the "Airstream Clipper", which was essentially a rebadged Bowlus. The design cuts down on wind resistance and thus improves gas mileage. It was the first of the now familiar rounded-cornered, silver aluminum Airstream trailer. Byam moved his operation to Jackson Center, Ohio, in 1952, where Airstream's headquarters still reside. During the mid-1930s, company founder Wally Byam perfected his skill of combining form and functionality. He incorporated aircraft construction methods to lower wind resistance and improve the trailer's strength while retaining light weight. His designs took on a more aerodynamic look. On January 17, 1936, the Airstream Trailer Co. introduced the "Clipper". Of more than 300 trailer builders operating in 1936, Airstream was the only one to survive the Depression years. However, during World War II, leisure travel and the materials needed to build trailers became luxuries most could not afford. Airstream Trailer Co. closed its doors. Byam decided that the best way to help the war effort was to use his experience with aluminum fabrication in the aircraft industry, taking jobs at Lockheed and Curtis Wright for the rest of the war. When World War II ended, the economy boomed, and people's attention once again turned towards leisure travel. By 1948 the demand for Airstream trailers increased tremendously, with a wide range of models eventually being offered. In July 1952 a new facility in Jackson Center, Ohio, was established to serve the demand for the trailers. By August of that year, the first Ohio-made Airstream rolled off the line, and the California factory was also moved to larger facilities in Santa Fe Springs. Beginning in 1974 Airstream began manufacturing a Class A motorhome, badged "Argosy". These began as painted aluminum 20- and 24-foot models, and were followed in 1979 by the first of their Classic model motorhomes, with an unpainted aluminum body, much like the trailers they are known for. In actuality, these were modified trailers, mounted on a step van chassis also modified for the motorhome. Tokyo Smoking wagon built in the style of an AirstreamThe Class A motorhomes began as 28-foot models, and in the '80s and '90s, models ranging up to 37 feet were marketed. These classic motorhomes were followed by the production of more traditional-looking fiberglass models in the '90s. Airstream discontinued manufacture of Class A motorhomes in 2006. A recent model, the Skydeck, featured bus-like construction and interior stairs leading to a fully appointed deck on the roof. Starting in 1989, Airstream also built Class B motorhomes based on the Ford Econoline chassis and the Dodge B-series van chassis. Named "B190" after their class and 19-foot length, production ceased after the 1999 model year. In 2004, Airstream introduced the Interstate, Parkway, and Sprinter Westfalia touring coaches, which are based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. Airstream, based in Jackson Center, Ohio, is owned by Thor, Inc. and still produces their traditional aluminum-skinned trailers, along with Class B motorhomes and the recently added Basecamp trailers. The company presently manufactures about 2,000 motorhomes and trailers per year.

Hawley Bowlus was the designer of Charles Lindberg's "Spirit of St.Louis" not, as previously stated, "builder of the historic airplane, "The Spirit of '76." "..