Today if you’re willing to drop some cash you can get pretty nice accommodations on wheels in the form of a new RV, or recreational vehicle. These dwellings for some are a temporary retreat from the outside world, while others live in them most or all of the year. They aren’t known for great gas mileage, but what they lack in efficiency they make up for in charm and freedom. Some of the biggest ones even have a second story! Many Americans have a dream to travel in their golden years, bouncing between scenic drives and gorgeous camping spots. But, did you know that these portable homes date back to before the First World War? Here we take a look at RVs from 1910 to now to see the evolution of these fun vehicles over time.

1910s

1910s Camping Auto
Via: Bain News Service/Library of Congress

The original camper would have been the covered wagon, a vehicle that could serve as shelter if needed. They were widely used in the 1800s when moving house or traveling out West on overland passes. But, when it came to the brand new automobile the first campers were quite innovative. This model had pop-out side tents that turned this car into a much larger camping spot. And, in theory it saved having to set up a series of tents for the entire family.

1910s Camping Auto
Via: Via: Bain News Service/Library of Congress

1920s

The camper below was said to have slept 4 people thanks to the side supports that opened out. It’s unclear if that’s 4 people with or without the dogs. From the original caption, “Rosalie Eugenia ‘Gene’ Gardiner, dog ‘Rags’, and son Wm. Frederic Gardiner beside converted Model ‘T’ Ford Depot Wagon, year unknown. ‘Had sleeping accommodations for 4 which swung out from the sides of the body, also a kitchenet [sic] built out on the tail-gate. Cook, eat and sleep without going outside!'”

1920s Side Flap Camper Car
Camper built by Frederic F. Gardiner of Huntington, NY. Via: State Archives of Florida

Called “tin can tourists” after the highway from Canada to Miami was completed in 1915, people flocked to use motor vehicles to take their vacations in the new-fangled contraptions that reminded people of tin cans. It was in 1919 that the Tin Can Tourists of the World was founded in Tampa, Florida, at a campground. Automobiles and RVs had opened up a whole new way to vacation or even potentially spend one’s retirement. Folks took roadtrips for fun as engines became more efficient, powerful, and reliable.

1920s Camper Trailer and Family
Via: Koreshan Unity Collection/State Archives of Florida

For the first time trailers could be used to camp in and the first streamline style trailers were produced.

Ford Motorhome 1924
Via: Abxbay /Wiki Commons

Even though metal campers and trailers were the style, there were also wooden framed models that harkened back to the wagons and caravans of yore.

1930s

1930s Camper Interior
Via: Bailiwick Studios/Flickr

Plywood was among the newer materials that made motorhomes like this late 1930s model possible. Plywood interiors with modern kitchens and even separate bedrooms made these campers very luxurious- and expensive!

1937 Woman and Daughter in Front of Camper
Via: Harris & Ewing, Inc/Library of Congress

As the Great Depression took away job opportunities many families found themselves living an itinerant life to find work. Traveling long distances by RV, car, or truck became more common.

1937 RV Dining Area
Via: Harris & Ewing/Library of Congress

1940s

1940 Transient Family Trailer Census
Via: U.S. National Archives

By the 1940s some families were living in RVs as they made good temporary housing. Trailers were also used to house workers at various munitions plants and other wartime jobs.

1942 Workers Trailers
Burlington, Iowa. Acres unit, FSA (Farm Security Administration) trailer camp for workers at Burlington ordnance plant. Via: John Vachon/Library of Congress

But, the boom in war work and the prosperity that followed the Second World War meant that by the end of the decade many folks were able to afford campers and RVs for recreational use.

1940s Trailer Living
Via: Russell Lee/Library of Congress

1950s

In the 1950s camping became a national pastime as people flocked to state and national parks as well as private campgrounds for some wholesome family fun.

1950s Trailer Living
Via: Joseph Janney Steinmetz/Library of Congress

Shells for pick-up trucks were one way to go camping, though not as fancy as a dedicated RV.

1950s Converted Pick Up Truck Camper
Via: Styate Archives of Florda

In the 1950s all kinds of new products were released for campers, including these pop-up trailer types. While not quite the luxury of a motorhome, these did the job for many a weekend traveler.

Sears 1950s Pop Up Camper Ad
Via: Sears/Library and Archives Canada / Bibliothèque et Archives Canada/Flickr

1960s

In the 1950s the Volkswagen TI Transporter bus was first released and by the 1960s this compact van had become one of the premiere ways to camp or travel. These could be fitted with lots of seats or with small kitchenettes and benches for living space. Add-ons like roof racks, awnings, or pop up top roof panels made these vans more suitable for camping or living.

1966 VW Bus with Pop Up Roof
Via: BUTTON74/Wiki Commons

Small trailers with pop-out sides continued to sell because they were compact and good for quickly setting up shop.

1966 Pop Up Camp Trailer
Via: State Archives of Florida

Airstream trailers remained popular for their sleek design and spacious interiors as compared to vans.

1961 Man with Airstream Trailer
Via: Gladys Marks/State Archives of Florida

1970s

1970s Westfalia at the Beach
Via: Marc St. Gil/US National Archives

In the 1970s VW buses and other vans became the mode of choice for beach dwellers, hippies, and even families who didn’t want to drive a huge RV around the place.

1970s Camper Shell and RV at Moab
Via: David Hiser/ US National Archives

The RVs in the 1970s could be tall, boxy, and a bit unwieldy!

1970s Family with Rv at Disney
Via: Charles Lee Barron/State Archives of Florida

1980s

The 1970s-1980s saw a rise in the number of velour and velvet car and RV interiors. This was the trend back then and if you got to ride in one it was a real treat! Especially if you had the whole thing kitted out with the matching curtains, wheel cover, pinstripe paint, and accessories to match the velour upholstery. These same vehicles are being remodeled today into more modern tastes, but back then this was as good as you could ever want!

1980s Velour RV Interior
Via: ClassA RVs/Flickr

The Winnebago was the gold standard for RVs for many travelers. The swivel seats and comfy interiors suited a wide variety of lifestyles and habits.

1987 Winnebago Interior
Via: ClassA RVs/Flickr

Astro Vans came on the scene and were iconic to the era for their sleeker design.

1980s RV Ad
Via: Alden Jewell/Flickr

1990s

In the 1990s RVs and motorhomes got huge, with long-bodied models containing many rooms, wall to wall carpet, and some even featured built-in TVs and microwaves!

1990 Motorhome
Via: Alden Jewell/Flickr

For those wanting a more compact option the Chevrolet Express vans made for a popular choice in campers.

Chevy Express Camper Van
Via: Mimi Cummins/Flickr

2010s

In the past 10 or 20 years camper vans and renovated vintage RVs have been extremely popular. Custom builds are not uncommon and there are whole communities and industries based on converting old motorhomes, Sprinter vans, and other vehicles to become the ideal space for camping or living.

Modern Van Conversion for Camping
Via: Ken Ratcliff/Flickr
2010s Camper Van Seating
Via: Travelarz/Wiki Commons

2020s

Many recent conversions have the sleeping area higher up in the back to make space for water tanks, camping and sports gear, clothes, and other storage underneath.

Sprinter Van Bed and Storage
Via: Moreteekay/Wiki Commons

Tiny home living, van life, and the era of digital nomads have made for a whole new generation of RV enthusiasts, just as eager to see the wilderness as those who came before them.

Modern Camper Van Interior
Via: Danny6060/Wiki Commons
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