On this day in engineering history, Alice Ramsey set out with
three companions to drive from Broadway in New York City
to San Francisco, California. Fifty-nine days, 11 tires, and
3,800 miles later, the women arrived in California
where they were greeted by fanfare and celebration.
The idea for a cross-country trip began as a challenge from
a sales manager at Maxwell-Briscoe, the company whose touring car was used on Ramsey's
journey. However, the drive was more than a publicity stunt for Alice. Rather, it was a
personal challenge for the twenty-two year old, and ultimately became one of
her greatest achievements. Alice
stated that she was "born mechanical, an inheritance from my father. My husband
wasn't mechanical at all".
In 1909, there were few paved roads, service stations, or
road maps. The transcontinental trip was something that only about two dozen
men had successfully completed. Doctors at the time suggested that women should
not drive because they would become too excited while driving at speeds of
15-20 mph, and this excitement would not allow them to sleep.
The easiest part of the trip involved driving from New York City to Chicago.
The roads in this part of the counry were the best, despite being designed for
horses and wagons. Smooth traveling allowed Ramsey to reach a speed of 42 mph
on the Cleveland Parkway.
She reached Chicago,
a third of her journey, in two weeks – but not without complications. There had
been a change in the directions she was given. At one point, the directions
said, "At 11.6 miles, yellow house and barn on rt [right]. Turn left." When Alice reached the house
and barn, however, they'd been painted green by the owner to confuse drivers.
From Chicago
westward, the roads were considerably worse. Alice and her companions ran into numerous
problems along the way, including poor road conditions, bad weather, mechanical
problems, and flat tires. They also met up with jackrabbit-hunting Native
Americans in Nebraska, and were temporarily
stopped by men on horseback in Wyoming.
Alice did all
the repair work, like changing sparkplugs and flat tires, by herself.
On August 7, 1909 Alice and friends completed their journey
– and were welcomed by a parade of honking Maxwells. In 1960, the Automobile
Manufacturers Associate (AMA) named Alice Ramsey "Woman Motorist of the
Century", in honor of her adventurous spirit and contribution to the auto
industry. During her acceptance speech Ramsey said "automobiles are here to stay rugged and
dependable enough to commend any man's respect, gentle enough for the daintiest
lady".
Read more about Alice, our woman of the week.
Resources:
http://aliceramsey.org/adventure/
http://www.automotivehalloffame.org/honors/index.php?cmd=view&id=177&type=inductees
http://accelerateu.org/assessments/Ela8/FromCoastToCoast.htm
http://www.thelizlibrary.org/undelete/woa/woa06-09.html
http://www.moah.org/exhibits/archives/horseless.html
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