The Vagabonds chronicles the decade-long summer journeys of Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone from 1914 to 1925. On these iconic road trips—starting with Ford and naturalist John Burroughs’s expedition to Edison’s winter retreat in Florida—the trio dubbed themselves the Vagabonds and set out to explore America’s highways.
Beyond leisure, these expeditions aimed to test the reliability of early automobiles and document the state of rural roads. Traveling with chefs, butlers and a small entourage, the Vagabonds navigated undeveloped terrain, drawing national attention and sparking public interest in automotive travel. Detailed newspaper reports highlighted the challenges and successes of each leg, forging a new cultural tradition.
Guinn vividly captures the unique friendship between the seasoned inventor Edison and the ambitious Ford. Their conversations, experiments and shared passion for innovation laid the foundation for modern road travel. Readers gain insight into how these adventures influenced infrastructure improvements and cemented the automobile’s role in American life.
Highlights
- Annual summer trips through the Everglades and beyond
- Early automotive trials and road condition surveys
- Impact on American car culture and infrastructure
- Insights into Edison and Ford’s personal and professional bond
