Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip
Encyclopedia
Horatio's Drive: America's First Road Trip is a 2003 documentary film directed by Ken Burns
. Its subject is the first cross-country automobile journey in the United States, which occurred during the summer of 1903. The documentary focuses primarily on Horatio Nelson Jackson
and his Winton
car, The Vermont
; along with his companions Sewall K. Crocker
, his pet bulldog Bud and frequent correspondence with Jackson's wife Bertha Richardson Wells (called "Swipes" by Jackson). The journey became a race between three teams, the winners being Jackson and Crocker.
Archival footage of Horatio Nelson Jackson is included.
A series of American university professors of history provided background information.
Ken Burns
Kenneth Lauren "Ken" Burns is an American director and producer of documentary films, known for his style of using archival footage and photographs...
. Its subject is the first cross-country automobile journey in the United States, which occurred during the summer of 1903. The documentary focuses primarily on Horatio Nelson Jackson
Horatio Nelson Jackson
Horatio Nelson Jackson was a physician and automobile pioneer. In 1903, he and driving partner Sewall K. Crocker became the first people to drive an automobile across the United States.-Early life and medical career:...
and his Winton
Winton Motor Carriage Company
The Winton Motor Carriage Company was a pioneer United States automobile manufacturer based in Cleveland, Ohio. Winton was one of the first American companies to sell a motor car.-1896:...
car, The Vermont
Vermont (automobile)
The Vermont was the first automobile to cross the United States. It traveled from San Francisco, California to Manhattan, New York. It was a 1903 Winton. The crew was owner Horatio Nelson Jackson, mechanic Sewall K...
; along with his companions Sewall K. Crocker
Sewall K. Crocker
Sewall K. Crocker was a former bicycle racer from Tacoma, Washington, who became the mechanic and co-driver who participated in the first cross-country automobile trip in 1903 with Horatio Nelson Jackson. He also may have convinced Jackson to use a Winton vehicle for the trip...
, his pet bulldog Bud and frequent correspondence with Jackson's wife Bertha Richardson Wells (called "Swipes" by Jackson). The journey became a race between three teams, the winners being Jackson and Crocker.
Actors and historians
Several noted actors read the lines of various historical figures. They included:- Keith DavidKeith DavidKeith David Williams , better known as Keith David, is an American film, television, voice actor, and singer. He is perhaps most known for his live-action roles in such films as Crash, There's Something About Mary, Barbershop and Men at Work...
- Narrator - Tom HanksTom HanksThomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...
- Horatio Nelson Jackson
Archival footage of Horatio Nelson Jackson is included.
A series of American university professors of history provided background information.