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- Woman Driver Wearing Motoring Hat, 1910-1920 - Early automobiles were very expensive toys used for leisure travel and recreation. The wealthy people who owned and drove them dressed practically <em>and</em> fashionably, wearing driving clothes that protected from dust, mud, bugs, and weather while announcing them as well-to-do motorists. This woman wears a large driving hat and a long coat called a duster.
- 1910-1920
- Collections - Artifact
Woman Driver Wearing Motoring Hat, 1910-1920
Early automobiles were very expensive toys used for leisure travel and recreation. The wealthy people who owned and drove them dressed practically and fashionably, wearing driving clothes that protected from dust, mud, bugs, and weather while announcing them as well-to-do motorists. This woman wears a large driving hat and a long coat called a duster.
- Women in a Ford Model N Roadster, circa 1907 - American women welcomed the automobile's mobility and implied freedom. Cars arrived at a time when women were increasingly breaking away from the traditional domestic sphere and making new inroads in the workplace and in civic engagement. The automobile accelerated that social change.
- circa 1907
- Collections - Artifact
Women in a Ford Model N Roadster, circa 1907
American women welcomed the automobile's mobility and implied freedom. Cars arrived at a time when women were increasingly breaking away from the traditional domestic sphere and making new inroads in the workplace and in civic engagement. The automobile accelerated that social change.
- Safety Girl Roadside Emergency Kit, 2011 -
- 2011
- Collections - Artifact
Safety Girl Roadside Emergency Kit, 2011
- Alice Ramsey and Three Companions on Cross-Country Automobile Trip, 1909 - These ladies wore duster overcoats, hats, and veils to protect their clothing and hair during their Maxwell touring car journey from New York City to San Francisco. Alice Ramsey (second from left) was the first woman to drive across the continent, traversing 3,800 miles in 59 days. The Maxwell-Briscoe Motor Company sponsored this publicity trip and reaped a 50 percent sales increase in 1910.
- 1909
- Collections - Artifact
Alice Ramsey and Three Companions on Cross-Country Automobile Trip, 1909
These ladies wore duster overcoats, hats, and veils to protect their clothing and hair during their Maxwell touring car journey from New York City to San Francisco. Alice Ramsey (second from left) was the first woman to drive across the continent, traversing 3,800 miles in 59 days. The Maxwell-Briscoe Motor Company sponsored this publicity trip and reaped a 50 percent sales increase in 1910.
- Motor Vehicle Permit Issued to Clara Ford, 1914 - Mrs. Henry Ford received this 1914 Motor Vehicle Permit to operate her 3 horsepower Detroit Electric Coupe in Canada.
- 1914
- Collections - Artifact
Motor Vehicle Permit Issued to Clara Ford, 1914
Mrs. Henry Ford received this 1914 Motor Vehicle Permit to operate her 3 horsepower Detroit Electric Coupe in Canada.
- Promotional Sewing Needle Book from AAA of Michigan, circa 1950 - This 1950s giveaway from the American Automobile Association (AAA) targeted a growing group of post-World War II drivers and car owners -- women. The ad on this needlebook reminded women about AAA's "Advantages, Privileges, [and] Protection" when away from their daily household chores.
- circa 1950
- Collections - Artifact
Promotional Sewing Needle Book from AAA of Michigan, circa 1950
This 1950s giveaway from the American Automobile Association (AAA) targeted a growing group of post-World War II drivers and car owners -- women. The ad on this needlebook reminded women about AAA's "Advantages, Privileges, [and] Protection" when away from their daily household chores.
- Clara Ford Driving a 1906 Ford Model N on Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan, with Myrle Clarkson as Passenger - In 1906, Clara Ford, wife of Henry Ford, and Myrle Clarkson, a secretary at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, took a Model N out for a spin. The two drove from the plant where the Model N was built around the streets of Detroit. The Model N was the low-priced but smaller predecessor to the Model T.
- 1906
- Collections - Artifact
Clara Ford Driving a 1906 Ford Model N on Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan, with Myrle Clarkson as Passenger
In 1906, Clara Ford, wife of Henry Ford, and Myrle Clarkson, a secretary at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, took a Model N out for a spin. The two drove from the plant where the Model N was built around the streets of Detroit. The Model N was the low-priced but smaller predecessor to the Model T.
- Racing Poster, Woman Driver Practicing for a Race on the Beach, 1908 - The automobile arrived at a time when American women were fighting for the right to vote and seeking expanded opportunities beyond traditional domestic roles. The car quickly became a symbol -- and instrument -- of this new freedom. Advertisers made frequent use of automobile imagery, and carmakers increasingly directed their ads toward women.
- 1908
- Collections - Artifact
Racing Poster, Woman Driver Practicing for a Race on the Beach, 1908
The automobile arrived at a time when American women were fighting for the right to vote and seeking expanded opportunities beyond traditional domestic roles. The car quickly became a symbol -- and instrument -- of this new freedom. Advertisers made frequent use of automobile imagery, and carmakers increasingly directed their ads toward women.