Motorizing America’s mail: A Roosevelt era initiative
Subject(s): Autocar trucks, Cortelyou, George B. (George Bruce), 1862-1940, Hitchcock, Frank H. (Frank Harris), 1867-1935, Letter mail handling--Automation, Mail sorting--Automation, Maryland--Baltimore, Parcel post, Smith, Charles Emory, 1842-1908, United States Postal Service, Washington (D.C.), Winton Motor Carriage Company
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James Bruns explores the use of motorized vehicles–electric, steam, and gasoline powered–to deliver mail in major American cities in place of horse drawn wagons. Many of these experiments began with postmasters appointed by Theodore Roosevelt. Bruns examines the use of trucks in cities such as Detroit, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., and he notes the various manufacturers who competed to have their vehicles tested. Bruns reports that many of the tests were conducted during the busy Christmas season.
Eleven photographs of various motorized delivery vehicles populate the article.
Collection
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
Creation Date
2007
Creator(s)
Language
English
Period
Theodore Roosevelt and Public Memory (1919-present)
Page Count
6
Production Method
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
No permission is required from the Theodore Roosevelt Association to use items in the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal collection for educational purposes. For permissions, contact William Tilchin at (516) 921-6319 or by email at wnt@bu.edu.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Motorizing America’s mail: A Roosevelt era initiative. [2007]. Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308233. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Bruns, James. Motorizing America’s mail: A Roosevelt era initiative. [2007]. Image.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. August 3, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308233.
APA:
Bruns, James., [2007]. Motorizing America’s mail: A Roosevelt era initiative.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308233.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. August 3, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.
APA:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.
