The First Road Trip

Podcast Summary

• Embracing new technologies and experiences: Capital One Venture X Card's travel benefits offer savings and upgrades, while Horatio Nelson Jackson's first cross-country road trip showcased early adopters' courage and curiosity.

  Innovation and determination can turn everyday experiences into extraordinary adventures, as shown by the stories of the Capital One Venture X Card's travel benefits and the first cross-country automobile road trip by Horatio Nelson Jackson. In the first instance, the Capital One Venture X Card offers unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, providing opportunities for travel upgrades and savings. Meanwhile, Horatio Nelson Jackson's journey in 1903, just 25 years after the completion of the first transcontinental railroad, demonstrated the courage and curiosity of early adopters who dared to explore new possibilities with automobiles despite their high cost and uncertain future. Both stories highlight the value of embracing new technologies and experiences, whether it's for travel or other aspects of life.

• Long-distance travel before modern infrastructure: Before GPS and modern infrastructure, long-distance travel was a challenging and adventurous experience, with travelers relying on local knowledge and landmarks to navigate.

  Before the advent of modern transportation and mapping systems, long-distance travel was a significant undertaking in the United States. The infrastructure consisted mainly of trains for long-distance travel and horses or carriages for local journeys. Roads were in poor condition, and most people didn't travel far from home due to the time and effort required. Directions were given based on landmarks rather than road names or numbers. The process of planning a journey was an adventure in itself, with travelers using atlases and asking for directions based on local landmarks. This lack of infrastructure and reliance on local knowledge made long-distance travel a challenging and time-consuming experience. However, it also added a sense of adventure and freedom to the journey. Today, with the availability of GPS and modern mapping systems, the experience of travel has changed significantly, making it easier and more convenient but perhaps less magical and adventurous.

• Early car companies' cross-country road trips as marketing stunts: Unsuccessful road trips helped establish the significance of being the first to cross the country for car brands' marketing

  The early 1900s was an era of experimentation for car companies trying to gain positive publicity through sponsored cross-country road trips. The Durya car company, for instance, sponsored John and Louise Davis's attempt to be the first to drive a car across the United States from New York to San Francisco in 1899. However, their journey was famously unsuccessful as they were beaten by a one-armed bicyclist. Despite the failure, the idea of using a cross-country road trip as a marketing stunt gained traction, and a few years later, in 1901, Alexander Winton, the founder of the Wynton car company, attempted the journey himself. Winton's trip was smarter in that he started from the west coast, where the roads were worse, and ended up getting trapped in the desert, demonstrating the challenges of driving long distances in an old car. Nevertheless, the press coverage helped promote his car company. The takeaway is that even unsuccessful attempts at promoting cars through cross-country road trips helped establish the idea that being the first to make it across the country was a significant achievement for a car brand.

• First transcontinental car journey from SF to NY: A doctor's passion for cars led him to complete the first transcontinental journey from San Francisco to New York in a record-breaking 90 days, defying skepticism and proving cars' worth.

  Horatio Nelson Jackson, a doctor and car enthusiast, bet his wealthy friends that he could drive from San Francisco to New York in less than 90 days, despite their belief that cars were useless. With the support of his wife and a skilled mechanic, Sewell Crocker, Jackson embarked on this journey in a Winton touring car, which they named "Vermont." The car was open, with no windshield, roof, doors, or back windshield, and topped out at 30 miles per hour. Despite the challenges and lack of planning, Jackson's love for cars and determination led him to complete the historic journey. This story showcases the power of passion and perseverance, even in the face of skepticism.

• The Power of Determination and Fun: Horatio and Crocker's cross-country journey in a writing lawnmower showcases the importance of personal passion and determination over corporate resources. Zigazoo offers a safe and enjoyable social media experience for kids, while Squarespace's Fluid Engine empowers individuals and businesses to create custom websites easily.

  The spirit of adventure and determination can overcome limitations, even when faced with competition from larger corporations. This was exemplified by Horatio and Crocker's cross-country journey in a writing lawnmower. Although they couldn't match the speed of other car manufacturers, they proved that the joy and excitement of the journey mattered more than the destination or the means. Their adventure was not sponsored or supported by a team, but they managed to put together the trip in just four days. The contrast between their self-driven spirit and their competitors' corporate resources highlights the importance of personal passion and determination. Additionally, the discussion touched upon the importance of fun and safety in social media interactions. Zigazoo, a social media network designed specifically for kids, was introduced as a platform where kids can share content, create videos, and engage with their friends in a safe and enjoyable environment. The absence of negative features like commenting and text messaging makes it an attractive alternative to other social media platforms. Lastly, Squarespace's Fluid Engine was presented as a tool that allows anyone to unlock their creativity and build custom websites. The drag-and-drop technology, flexible designs, and easy-to-use features make it an accessible solution for individuals and businesses looking to establish an online presence.

• The impact of preparation and planning on a journey: Effective preparation and planning are crucial for a successful journey. Secure necessary resources, make informed decisions, and tackle challenges to reach your destination.

  Proper preparation and planning significantly impact the success of a journey, as demonstrated by Horatio and Sewell's cross-country trip compared to Packard and Oldsmobile's. While Horatio and Sewell faced numerous challenges due to their lack of resources and inability to effectively secure their gear, Packard and Oldsmobile, with their well-equipped vehicles and advanced planning, had a much smoother journey. Horatio and Sewell's decision to follow Alexander Winton's lead and tackle the hardest part of their trip first was a good one, but their failure to properly secure their gear and avoid the Nevada desert ultimately led to their demise. The story highlights the importance of being well-prepared, having the necessary resources, and making informed decisions to overcome obstacles and reach one's destination.

• Journey filled with unexpected challenges: Despite harsh realities and limited resources, the team's determination and improvisation allowed them to continue their journey and resonated with the speaker's nostalgia for childhood friendship and adventure.

  The journey of the Packard team in "Stand by Me" was filled with unexpected challenges, including blowing tires and encountering unfamiliar terrain. The team had to be resourceful and adapt to the situation, using railroad tracks and right-of-ways to make progress. The movie's portrayal of the harsh realities of traveling west during that time was highlighted by the scarcity of resources like car tires. The team's determination and improvisation allowed them to continue their journey despite these obstacles. Additionally, the movie's nostalgic portrayal of childhood friendship and adventure resonated with the speaker and made him feel nostalgic. Overall, "Stand by Me" is a masterpiece that showcases the resilience and ingenuity of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

• Early automobile journeys faced numerous challenges: The first automobile journeys were filled with treacherous roads, unreliable maps, misdirection, and faulty car components, but the pioneering spirit of travelers helped them persevere and pave the way for future automobile travel.

  The early automobile journeys, such as the one undertaken by Horatio Nelson Jackson and Sewell Crocker, were filled with numerous challenges. These challenges ranged from treacherous roads, unreliable maps, and misdirection from locals, to faulty car components like the clutch system. The roads were often narrow and dangerous, and the cars were not equipped to handle them, leading to frequent breakdowns and the need for manual intervention to pull the cars out of mud, rivers, or ditches. Maps were unreliable, and directions from locals could lead travelers down dead ends or misguided paths. One notable instance was a woman named Tina Manson who intentionally misdirected the travelers to show them off to her family. The car components, especially the clutch system, were also unreliable, and required frequent repairs. Despite these challenges, the pioneering spirit of the travelers helped them persevere and complete their journey, paving the way for future automobile travelers.

• The intersection of technology and everyday life: Despite new innovations, old methods and tools don't always disappear. Horses and Segways coexist, and safe social media platforms offer kid-friendly alternatives. Dell Technologies celebrated with savings, and Canva presentations enhance work documents.

  Technology and innovation can bring about significant changes, but they don't necessarily make previous methods or tools obsolete. In the discussion, it was mentioned that the inventor of the Segway made jokes about horses becoming obsolete, but he still relied on horses for transportation in his carriage. Similarly, the Segway itself faced criticism and urban legends about its failure. On a different note, the conversation also touched upon the importance of safe and kid-friendly social media platforms like Zigazoo, which allows children to share content and interact with friends without the risk of negative comments or text messaging. Lastly, Dell Technologies was celebrating its anniversary with savings on tech products, and Canva presentations were highlighted for their ability to make work documents more visually engaging. Overall, the conversation covered a range of topics, but the underlying theme was the intersection of technology and everyday life.

• Historic road trip filled with challenges and excitement: Against all odds, we can make the most of our journey and even find joy in unexpected challenges. A loyal companion can add to the adventure and make memories that last a lifetime.

  Despite the challenges and delays during Horatio Jackson and Sewell Crocker's historic cross-country car trip in 1903, they managed to make the best of the situation and even had a great time. Their adventure was filled with unique experiences, and they were able to make a significant amount of money along the way. A surprising addition to their journey was a pit bull named Bud, who became their mascot and brought even more excitement to their journey. Despite not being able to find a viral meme of Fabio getting hit in the face during the discussion, the overall story of their adventure was captivating and full of unexpected twists.

• The historic cross-country journey of Horatio Nelson Jackson and Sewell Crocker with their dog Bud: Against all odds, Jackson and Crocker completed a 63-day, 12-hour, 30-minute cross-country trip in a car, demonstrating determination and the spirit of adventure, despite terrible roads, frequent breakdowns, and a canine companion.

  The journey of Horatio Nelson Jackson and Sewell Crocker in crossing the country in a car with their dog Bud was a slow and challenging one. Despite the difficulties, including terrible roads, frequent breakdowns, and the addition of their canine companion, they persevered and gained widespread attention. They turned down sponsorship offers, including from the Wynton Motor Carriage Company, and made it to New York City on July 26, 1903, completing their historic cross-country trip in 63 days, 12 hours, and 30 minutes. Horatio won his bet, but did not collect on it. The journey demonstrated their determination and the spirit of adventure, as well as the challenges of early long-distance travel.

• The Remarkable Road Trip of Horatio Jackson and Sewell Crocker: Horatio Jackson and Sewell Crocker's cross-country road trip in the late 1800s faced numerous challenges, but they set a record that stood for decades. Jackson's post-trip ventures and Sewell's untimely death added to their intriguing story. Alice Ramsey and women broke the record six years later, inspiring future generations of long-distance travelers.

  Horatio Jackson and Sewell Crocker's cross-country road trip in the late 1800s was a remarkable achievement, despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks. Jackson's relationship with Sewell and Bud, as well as his post-trip ventures, including joining the military and running for governor, added to his intriguing story. Sadly, Sewell died young during the Mexican Revolution. Six years after Jackson and Crocker's trip, Alice Ramsey and three women became the first women to make the same journey, paving the way for women's capabilities in automobile travel. Thirty years later, the record set by Jackson and Crocker was broken by Cannonball Baker, leading to the famous Cannonball Run. This episode reminded me of another adventure, our trip up the Amazon. It's fascinating to learn about the history of long-distance travel and the determination of pioneers who pushed boundaries.

• Amazon river's water volume vs other waterfalls: The Amazon river's water volume exceeds that of Niagara, Victoria Falls, and other waterfalls combined, twelve times over. Cruise ships can travel over a thousand miles, and Zigazoo is a safe social media platform for kids. Rolling Stone's podcast explores iconic songs' stories, and Discover offers excellent customer service and fraud protection.

  The volume of water leaving the Amazon river is equal to the combined volume of water going over Niagara Falls, Victoria Falls, and any other comparable waterfall, multiplied by twelve. This surprising fact was shared by a guest on the Stuff You Should Know podcast. The discussion also touched upon the vast capabilities of ocean cruise ships, which can travel over a thousand miles. Additionally, the podcast mentioned Zigazoo, a social media platform designed for kids, which offers moderated content and built-in privacy protections. Another topic covered was Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs podcast, where hosts Brittany Spanos and Rob Sheffield explore the stories behind iconic songs. Lastly, the podcast highlighted Discover's commitment to making everyone feel special by offering 24-7 live customer service and $0 fraud liability.