The world of early recreational vehicles
Welcome to rvhistory.com
This site has been developed by RV historian Andrew Woodmansey as a resource for learning about early recreational vehicles from around the world. It is a calm place with no adverts, sponsors, popups, likes or subscribes. A place to reflect on the hobby's birth and be inspired by early pioneers of the RV movement. Many photos are published here for the first time. For more interaction head to our Facebook page.
Books
The Curtiss Aerocar 1928-1940
"Not a dry recounting of history, Woodmansey allows for an easy and fun read. The book is very enjoyable and has a nice ratio of illustrations to prose."
The Antique Automobile Association of America
My latest book The Curtiss Aerocar 1928-1940 is published by Schiffer Publishing of the USA in September 2024. It is the first ever comprehensive history of Glenn Curtiss' revolutionary road vehicle. The book has been written in conjunction with the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum of Hammondsport, New York and features many outstanding Aerocar images from the museum's archives.
It will be released together with its sister publication Curtiss Motorcycles 1902-1912 by Curtiss museum curator emeritus Rick Leisenring, Jr.
Recreational Vehicles: A World History 1872-1939
"A meticulous volume that is surely destined as the standard reference work about caravans and motorhomes."
The Society of Automotive Historians in Britain
The first ever international history of recreational vehicles. Published by Pen & Sword Books in January 2022. Fully illustrated with over 300 period, high quality black and white images of pre-WW2 RVs from the UK, France, USA, Germany, Australia and New Zealand including many published for the first time. This book re-writes RV history.
With 43 professional reviews to date in online and print media, the book is Pen & Sword's most-reviewed book. It has had a universally positive reception since publication in January 2022. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed or bought the book. Please add a review or star rating when you buy. The book is available in all good bookshops as well as over 240 libraries worldwide – search WorldCat here for a copy near you.
Free RV Patent eBook
Fifty Early RV Patents is now available as a free pdf download.
Social Media
rvhistory.com is now on Facebook.
Blog
rvhistory.com features over 60 blogs covering a wide range of vehicles and topics from six main countries. There is a five-part blog on early RV history and stories of early RVs and their builders from around the world. Search by country or explore the most recent blogs below.
The site's top five blogs are currently The First Automobile Camping Trailer, The Success of Eccles Caravans, Australian Motorhomes of the 1920s, 25 Years of Winchester Caravans, and America's First RV. My latest blog on The RV of The Future is generating much interest.
Featured Posts
