From a Dream to a Way of Life

The Airstream brand is rich with history and a following that dates all the way back to 1929. Find out how Wally Byam turned an adventurous spirit into an American icon, and how the Airstream brand continues to be a catalyst for people all over the world to live their dreams on the open road.

Experts in the Field

If you’ve got questions about Airstream, or need references or other information, we can connect you with our experts in the field. Visit our Contacts page to get in touch.

Bob Wheeler

President & CEO

Bob Wheeler is the President and CEO of Airstream, Inc., where his leadership steered the company through one of the worst economic downturns into record sales and success. An engineer with an MBA from State University of New York, Buffalo, Bob brings a mix of technical understanding, dedication to product innovation, and people skills to the position. His deep understanding of every aspect of the product and its manufacturing process has solidified Airstream’s identity as the manufacturer of the world’s most iconic travel trailer.

Justin Humphreys

Chief Operating Officer

Justin Humphreys is the Chief Operating Officer for Airstream, Inc. He joined Airstream in 2011 as Vice President of Sales, and his leadership helped drive Airstream sales to unprecedented growth. In addition to his VP role, he headed up the company’s service and parts operations. Justin grew up in the RV industry and has over 20 years of professional industry experience. He and his family own two vintage Airstreams, and they are committed Airstreamers who believe the RV lifestyle is integral to positive family dynamics.

Mollie Hansen

Chief Marketing Officer

Mollie Hansen is the Chief Marketing Officer for Airstream, Inc., where she oversees all of the company’s advertising, retail marketing, public relations, and brand partnerships. She joined Airstream in 2011 as VP of Marketing, bringing extensive background in the athletic footwear and apparel industry. Mollie has dedicated herself to understanding how customers interact with brands, and has crafted immersive brand experiences that have fueled Airstream’s unprecedented growth and public awareness.

History

1920s
The First Airstream

Airstream’s first ride was in 1929, but really Airstream was born the first time Wally Byam left home. Wally’s early life – schooling, sailing, camping, and working – all came together to form a vision of the open road, the outdoors, and freedom. That vision was realized in a tent on a Model T chassis. It was realized in a boy working to pay for his school. It was realized when Wally Byam built that first trailer, and it’s still alive today.

Visit airstream.com/history for more information

History

1930s
From Hobby to Business

As the 1930s dawned, interest in Wally Byam’s early trailer designs was growing. So much so, in fact, that he couldn’t handle the demand on his own from his yard anymore, or by sending five-dollar manuals around the country. People had seen the first Airstreams, and they wanted to get on-board. A factory would open. A trailer would debut. But then a Great Depression would jeopardize everything.

Visit airstream.com/history for more information

History

1940s
The War Years

Airstream survived the Depression. World War II would be another challenge. Factories closed, and Wally Byam and others joined the war effort. But after the fighting stopped, Airstream was back, and soon better than ever. And as the company grew, Wally would have a chance to get on the road, battle-test his trailers – and plant the seed of a caravan revolution.

Visit airstream.com/history for more information

History

1950s
Necessity is the Mother of Invention

In the 1950s, Airstream went through a lot of changes, and mostly for the good. The old factory was outgrown. Wally Byam led a caravan of trailerites outside American borders for the first time. Innovation continued, inside the company and out. By decade’s end, in a lot of ways Airstream had made the leap from being a travel trailer company to being a movement and a culture that was shared by thousands.

Visit airstream.com/history for more information

History

1960s
A Legend Passes

For the first three decades of its existence – and maybe even longer – Airstream and Wally Byam were synonymous. But the 1960s changed that. Wally passed away, and Airstream no longer had its founder and leader. There would be turmoil and there would be change, but nobody should be surprised that the company and the idea that Wally devoted his adult life to was grand enough and strong enough to live on.

Visit airstream.com/history for more information

History

1970s
Expanding Once Again

With a recession and a gas crisis, the 1970s weren’t a great decade for the auto industry as a whole, let alone travel trailers and Airstream. Driving for fun wasn’t on the table for many people. And that brought change to Airstream. For the first time in the company’s history, it left California – and for good. New products were introduced, unlike anything Airstream had done before. But even in a time of flux, with change everywhere, what remained was undeniably Airstream.

Visit airstream.com/history for more information

History

1980s
Becoming an Icon

Since Wally Byam’s death, Airstream had gone through periods of great prosperity and periods of great hardship. But in the 1980s, Airstream found stable footing once again. New ownership came in, and ushered in an era of success that continues to this day. And with the silver bullet trailer gaining retro icon status, we were able to keep the old with the new.

Visit airstream.com/history for more information

History

1990s
The Old Becomes New

Airstream is a company that spans eras – we appreciate our history very much, as you can see, but we also look forward whenever possible. In the 1990s, we embodied that generational bridge. New efforts were started to honor and preserve Airstream’s greatest historical resource, the trailers themselves. And with more products and updated designs, a whole new generation of Airstreamers could get on the road in style.

Visit airstream.com/history for more information

History

2000s
Growing the Family

We’re very proud of what’s come before us, in the near-century Airstream trailers have been on the road. In the past ten years we’ve seen the Wally Byam Caravan Club International and Airstream itself pass major milestones, and we hope to see many more. That’s why we’re also always looking forward to the future, and trying to develop new, better trailers and other products so that Airstreamers can always enjoy the open road in comfort and without worry.

Visit airstream.com/history for more information

Wally's 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.

Our founder, Wallace Merle Byam, was born on July 4, 1896, in Baker City, Oregon. He championed these values in his Creed – a document that continues to inform our conduct and decision-making at Airstream today. Wally’s Creed hangs on the wall in our office, and every day, his words drive us to honor his core beliefs and greatest ambitions.

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
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