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Caravan comes from karwan -

The term "caravan" derives from the Persian word karwan—adopted into the later Arabic vocabulary—and denotes a group of merchants, pilgrims, or travelers journeying together for greater security in deserts or other hostile environments. 

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Origins of the caravan -

The caravan has its origins in 19th-century Europe when they were used by farmers for shelter or as living quarters and changing rooms by traveling entertainers, circus troupes for example, or actors.

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The Romani lifestyle -

The most ubiquitous use of the caravan was that made by traveling communities of Romani people, who spent much of their lives in horse-drawn carriages. The Romani still follow a nomadic, itinerant lifestyle.

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Following the wagon trail -

In the United States, the wagon train was a familiar sight in the Old West as settlers traveled across the plains and mountain passes in covered wagons, banded together for mutual assistance.

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The world's first caravan -

The world's first purpose-built caravan, or travel trailer, was built by the Bristol Wagon & Carriage Works in 1880 for William Gordon Stables, a Scottish-born author of adventure fiction. He named his leisure caravan, which was made of mahogany and maple wood, the Wanderer (pictured, with Stables standing left).

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Horse power -

By the turn of the 20th century, caravanning was an increasingly popular leisure pursuit, though most trailers were still horse-drawn. 

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The Camping and Caravanning Club -

In 1901, the first dedicated caravanning club was established in Great Britain—the Camping and Caravanning Club. The club's notable past presidents include polar explorer Robert Falcon Scott (left) and Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the worldwide Scout Movement.

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The Caravan Club -

Six years later, in 1907, the Caravan Club was founded, with William Gordon Stables of Wanderer fame its first president.

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Eccles Motor Transport -

The first caravan to be towed by a car in Great Britain was designed and built by Eccles Motor Transport in 1919. Eccles caravans featured plush interiors and furnishings, all French polished by hand. The company pioneered caravans in Britain and did much to popularize this new form of leisure.

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Showcasing the home on wheels -

As the touring holiday caught on in the 1920s, caravans began appearing at motor shows across Europe. These presentations would eventually lead to the establishment of dedicated camping and caravanning trade events across Europe and beyond.

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The family holiday -

The 1920s saw the motorcar reach the masses. Most engines were powerful enough to pull a caravan, which in turn facilitated the family holiday.

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Seeing the world on wheels -

Ford introduced the Model T to the British market in 1908. The automobile had helped put the world on wheels, and owed its mass appeal to being affordable, reliable, and easy to maintain. It became a vehicle of choice to couple with a caravan, as this 1921 photograph illustrates.

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Popular vacation option -

A Morris Oxford Six is seen pulling a Winchester Streamline caravan through London's Piccadilly in 1930. Leaving the city for a touring holiday in the countryside was a popular vacation option in the 1930s.

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Winchester Waggoners Scottish Tour -

Winchester caravans enjoyed enormous success in the 1930s. The Winchester Waggoners Scottish Tour of 1939 was documented by The Caravan magazine.

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The Winchester Imp -

The caravans used for the Scottish jaunt included Winchester Imps. These small caravans were just 3.5 m (11 ft) in length and slept two—just!

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Cost benefits -

A Winchester Imp cost around £145 back then, and they were made, not surprisingly, in Winchester, England.

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Exploring Europe -

Over on the continent, meanwhile, roads throughout Europe's alpine regions were seeing more caravans in summer, pulled by vehicles like this Mercedes-Benz 260D Cabriolet.

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Travel trailing in the USA -

In the United States, the caravan was better known as a travel trailer. The idea of a touring vacation had gathered momentum in North America in the 1920s, thanks in part to a guy named Glenn Hammond Curtiss.

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Glenn Hammond Curtiss (1878–1964) -

Glenn Hammond Curtiss was a pioneer of naval aviation: he introduced the first practical seaplane hydroplane in 1911. He also built motorcycles. But in 1919, he steered himself in a different direction by inventing the Adams Motor "Bungalo," a forerunner of the modern recreational vehicle (RV).

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The Curtiss Aerocar -

Curtiss later developed this into a larger, more elaborate fifth-wheel vehicle, which he manufactured and sold under the name Aerocar. The Curtiss Aerocar was luxurious and expensive. Interior features included a self-contained restroom and kitchen, and comfortable seating for eight. It was the travel trailer of choice for discerning tourists seeking a home away from home with wheels. Pictured in 1936 are two Curtiss Aerocar trailers at a gas station in Florida.

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The Airstream -

The most iconic of American trailers is the Airstream travel trailer. The distinctive shape of its rounded and polished aluminum coachwork makes it one of the most recognized products in the world.

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Art Deco interior -

The first Airstream hit the road in 1936 and cost an eye-watering US$1,200 back then. The trailer featured a beautiful Art Deco interior, was able to house four people, and had electric lights and water supply. But it was a luxury few could afford.

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Wally Byam (1896–1962) -

The Airstream company was founded by Wally Byam, seen here, megaphone in hand, with members of the Wally Byam Caravan Club. Byam was a key figure in developing both a romance and enthusiasm associated with the automobile and recreational vehicle culture in the US from the 1930s onwards.

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Kom-Pak Sportsman -

In 1952, the world of American travel welcomed the Kom-Pak Sportsman, a fiberglass trailer with a roof that turned into a boat. This odd combo aimed to improve the vacation experience of the time, by adding another dimension to it.

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Pod caravan -

Back in England, the dainty-looking fiberglass pod caravan that appeared in the 1950s became the model for the contemporary Go-Pod caravan of today. Go-Pods are among the smallest caravans on the market and are designed to be towed by equally small cars.

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Teardrop trailer -

The streamlined teardrop trailer, named for its teardrop profile, first appeared in the 1930s. With just enough room for two people and not much else, these trailers have enjoyed a recent surge in popularity with couples seeking adventure off the beaten track.

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The rise of the grand tourers -

Touring caravans didn't begin to resemble what we know of them today until the mid-1970s, when the manufacturing creed was: "The bigger, the better!"

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Top-end market -

And many caravans and travel trailers today are very impressive indeed. Modern in looks and super-efficient ergonomically, top-end examples feature stylish, space-saving interiors equipped with some serious modern amenities.

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Amazing amenities -

A modern mid-range caravan/travel trailer comes with a host of amenities that may include beds, some of which convert to daytime seating, a gas or electric-powered stove, oven, and grill, and a similarly powered refrigerator.

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Fantastic facilities -

In addition, facilities will invariably include a shower, toilet with removable blackwater (sewage) disposal tank and flush-water tan, and perhaps a heater.

Sources: (Old Classic Car) (autoevolution) (Tin Can Tourists) (Airstream Club) (The Autopian) 

See also: A-tent-tion! The world's most beautiful campgrounds

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