Selects: The First Road Trip
Summary
Josh and Chuck recount the 1903 journey of Horatio Nelson Jackson and Sewell Crocker, who became the first people to drive across America in a Winton touring car. The episode details their arduous trek through unpaved roads, mechanical failures, and the addition of their pit bull mascot, Bud. Unlike corporate-sponsored rivals, Jackson’s independent adventure highlights early automotive optimism and the challenges of pre-modern infrastructure.
Topics discussed
Intro and T-Mobile ad
Introduction to Horatio's Drive and Ken Burns documentary
Context of 1903: Cars, roads, and travel
Previous cross-country attempts by Davis and Packard
Horatio Nelson Jackson and the Winton car
Preparation and supplies for the journey
Departure and early challenges in the West
Mechanical issues, navigation, and the clutch
Ad break and Segway inventor story
Budd the dog joins the trip
Final leg to New York and arrival
Aftermath, legacy, and the Cannonball Run
Listener mail about the Amazon River
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