Come visit us at Alumalina Marion, NC October 18-22
how did this come about?
The Movement
The phrase and idea came to me one morning, while camping and visiting with a fellow Airstream friend over coffee. We discussed how our group was divided, and there were ill feelings, apologies that needed to be said, and how the unity of the group just felt broken.
Anytime you get a group of people together with differing opinions, ideals, backgrounds and feelings this can spark lively discussion or strong disagreements. We were just both sick of our group, not getting along so I said out loud to my friend; What Would Wally do? The phrase just clicked with both of us. If Wally were here right now I feel the discourse would be smoothed over, apologies rendered and handshakes, maybe even hugs given. Weekends are a precious time for me and my family. We currently work full-time so camping, connecting with friends old and new, sitting around the campfire, and having great conversation and food is what we look forward to on our camping weekends.
What WOULD Wally do? Is meant to be a movement, a reminder, not just in our camping circles but everyday to be kind, thoughtful, extend a helping hand when the road ahead gets rough. A gentle nudge, and a reminder as to why we all gather together as part of this international club. I hope you will take away inspiration, and be reminded that kindness can heal, and we share a common thread…our love for Airstreams!
Wallys Creed
“In the heart of these words is an entire life’s dream. To those of you who find in the promise of these words your promise, I bequeath this creed… my dream belongs to you.”
- To place the great wide world at your doorstep for you who yearn to travel with all the comforts of home.
- To provide a more satisfying, meaningful way of travel that offers complete travel independence, wherever and whenever you choose to go or stay.
- To keep alive and make real an enduring promise of high adventure and faraway lands… of rediscovering old places and new interests.
- To open a whole world of new experiences… a new dimension in enjoyment where travel adventure and good fellowship are your constant companions.
- To encourage clubs and rallies that provide an endless source of friendships, travel fun and personal expressions.
- To lead caravans wherever the four winds blow… over twinkling boulevards, across trackless deserts… to the traveled and untraveled corners of the earth.
- To play some part in promoting international goodwill and understanding among the peoples of the world through person-to-person contact.
- To refine and perfect our product by continuous travel-testing over the highways and byways of the world.
- To strive endlessly to stir the venturesome spirit that moves you to follow a rainbow to its end… and thus make your travel dreams come true.
– Wally Byam
Code of Ethics
To be ever mindful of our responsibility to Wally Byam Caravan Club International, Inc., and through conduct, indicate to the public that membership in this organization is an assurance of our courtesy on the road and good will to all peoples and countries.To be ever mindful of what we say or print with respect to the affect on others so as to avoid disharmony and ill feelings among club members and to dedicate ourselves to the work of cementing together the members of WBCCI in bonds of good fellowship and mutual understanding.To conduct ourselves in a manner to inspire others engaged in recreational vehicle travel to a full appreciation of the intent and meaning of this code.To maintain our camps in an orderly manner and leave them in the same way.
Who was Wally?
Wally Byam was born July 4, 1896 in Baker city, Oregon.
As a teenager, Wally worked as a shepherd living in a wooden two wheeled shepherds cart. He had his bare essentials to cook on a small stove, a wash pail and small heater he spent many weeks in isolation, herding sheep. Wally had some adventures out at sea traveling from Astoria to Alaska on tugboats. These experiences lead him to independence and sparked his love for traveling.
Wally Byam graduated from Stanford University with a BA in history. He worked at The Los Angeles Times. Wally and his first wife, Mary Ann, James owned an advertising mailer company. This was sort of a do it yourself magazine that he featured an article describing how to build a travel trailer. Readers quickly dismissed these flawed plans. Wally really wanted to build his own travel trailer to take along with his model T. He wrote an article in popular mechanics with a description of how to build a trailer for under $100. The second attempt yielded a much better response from his readers.
in the late 1920s many Americans were taking to the open road. Wally‘s new trailer invention was a perfect response to a mobile open Road lifestyle. Wally started selling his trailer plans and also completed trailer kits that he constructed in his Los Angeles backyard. his business survive the crash of 1929 and by 1931. After leaving the advertising company he became a fulltime builder of Masonite trailers. In 1931 the airstream company was officially incorporated.
The Clipper was introduced in 1936. The shape of this trailer was very similar to the first riveted aluminum trailer created by Howley Bowlus. Wally Byam sold these trailers in the 30s. The Clipper set itself apart from the Bowles Road chief by placing the door on the side.
The Clipper slept 4, had a galley kitchen, self contained water system, insulation, and utilize a dry ice “air conditioning“system.
Even at a $1,200 price tag the clipper, although expensive, could not be built fast enough to satisfy the orders. Even though World War II created tough economic times the airstream company was only want to 400 trailer builders that survived the great depression years. airstream trailer company closed its doors during the onset of World War II. Wally Bynre-opened his trailer company. Once the war had ended and Americans sought the open road once again.
1952 Jackson Center, Ohio a.k.a. “The Mothership trailer facility became the Eastern US production site. The first Ohio constructed AIRSTREAM rolled out in 1954. The California factory was relocated to Santa Fe Springs. In 1955, Wally and his second wife, Stella traveled to Europe in an Airstream Bubble to map out his caravan.
Take the WWWD Pledge
I will be kind and helpful to all fellow campers.
I will not impose my love of animals on others.
I will seek adventure in new roads.
Where are you now?
Send us a picture showing off your What would Wally do gear. We would love to feature the backstory of how you’re carrying on the Wally Byam legacy as you meet others down the road. Kindness is contagious!
Feature something
WWWD T-shirts, lanyards and stickers are now available. Look for them at Region 3. Our online shop will be live soon.