Fruehauf Trailer Co. Advertising Brochure, "White Elephants," 1931-1941

Summary

Founded in Detroit in 1918, the Fruehauf Trailer Company built and sold fifth-wheel semi-trailers that became the prototype for the big freight-hauling trailers seen on American highways today. At its peak, Fruehauf had 16 plants and more than 80 distributors, and it manufactured trailers for civilian and military uses. The company ceased independent operations in 1997.

Founded in Detroit in 1918, the Fruehauf Trailer Company built and sold fifth-wheel semi-trailers that became the prototype for the big freight-hauling trailers seen on American highways today. At its peak, Fruehauf had 16 plants and more than 80 distributors, and it manufactured trailers for civilian and military uses. The company ceased independent operations in 1997.

Artifact

Brochure

Date Made

1931-1941

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

98.1.1828.2

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Printing (Process)

Color

Multicolored
Yellow

Dimensions

Height: 9.125 in

Width: 4 in

Inscriptions

Text reads: "WHITE ELEPHANTS / THEY'RE AN Asset IN A CIRCUS / BUT NOT IN THE HAULAGE BUSINESS

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