Summary
In the podcast episode titled "The First Road Trip" on Stuff You Should Know, hosts Josh and Chuck discuss the first cross-country automobile road trip in the United States. The episode revolves around the protagonist of the story, Horatio Nelson Jackson, who became the first person to travel cross-country in a car. At the time, cars were new and expensive, and people primarily traveled by train or horse. The roads were mostly unpaved and unmapped, making the journey difficult and unpredictable.
Horatio Nelson Jackson, a wealthy doctor and car enthusiast, bet $50 that he could travel from San Francisco to New York in less than 90 days. He set out on the journey with his mechanic, Sewell Crocker, in a used Winton touring car that he purchased for $3,000. The car was open with no windshield, roof, or doors, and could go up to 30 miles per hour. Jackson and Crocker faced many challenges, including getting stuck in sand dunes and having to bike to get gasoline. Despite this, they persevered and completed the journey in 63 days, becoming the first people to cross the US by car.
The hosts discuss the challenges faced by Horatio Nelson Jackson and Sewall Crocker during their cross-country road trip in 1903. The two men were not experts at tying down their gear and often lost items along the way. Tires were a major issue, as they routinely blew out and it was difficult to find replacements. They also had to rely on locals for directions and encountered misguidance from some individuals. The brakes and clutch were not great, making downhill runs thrilling and causing the clutch system to break down frequently. However, the men made a smart decision to avoid the Nevada desert by going north through Oregon, adding hundreds of miles to their trip but ultimately leading to their success.
The podcast episode also discusses the final leg of Horatio Nelson Jackson's cross-country journey in 1903, driving a car from San Francisco to New York City. The hosts mention how Jackson relied on horses despite driving a "horseless carriage" and how he was not dismissive of blacksmiths who made repairs. They also talk about how Jackson and his companion Sewell Crocker adopted a pit bull named Bud, who became their mascot and learned to ride in the car. Despite the challenges, the men persevered and completed their journey, greeted by a throng of press and well-wishers in New York City.
The podcast episode also delves into the interesting life of Sewell Crocker, who ran several businesses and joined the military in World War One in his 40s. He became a decorated veteran and even ran for governor of Vermont but lost. He donated his car to the Smithsonian and died young at 31 from an illness contracted while protecting land in Mexico. The episode also mentions the first women to accomplish the same cross-country trip six years later and the record set by Irwin Cannonball Baker, which led to the creation of the Cannonball Run.
Overall, the podcast episode provides an insightful and entertaining look into the first cross-country automobile road trip in the United States, highlighting the challenges faced by Horatio Nelson Jackson and Sewell Crocker, and the impact the journey had on the development of road infrastructure in the country.
