1919 General Motors Truck Company Advertisement, "1 GMC; 1 Driver, Displace 16 Horses; 4 Drivers; 4 Wagons"
THF288911 / 1919 General Motors Truck Company Advertisement, "1 GMC; 1 Driver, Displace 16 Horses; 4 Drivers; 4 Wagons"
01
Artifact Overview
Horse-drawn delivery wagons remained in use well into the 1920s -- particularly in smaller towns and rural areas. But this advertisement for GMC trucks explains why they ultimately disappeared. Once roads were sufficiently improved, horse-drawn wagons simply could not compete with motorized trucks. While they might cost more up front, trucks were significantly less expensive to operate and maintain over time.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Advertisement
Date Made
21 June 1919
Creators
Place of Creation
Collection Title
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
91.0.178.1073
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Printing (Process)
Dimensions
Height: 10 in
Width: 6.125 in
Keywords |
|---|
02
Related Content
SetHorse-drawn Deliveries
- 11 Artifacts
Horse-drawn delivery wagons remained in use well into the automobile age. Even in the 1920s, it wasn't unusual to see milk, ice, or produce delivered by horse--especially in smaller towns. Horses were well suited to the frequent stops and starts along a route and could negotiate poor roads better than early motorized vehicles. As roads improved and trucks became less expensive to operate and maintain, the horse-drawn delivery wagon faded away.