The Willys Jeep Designed to fulfil an Army contract for simple go-anywhere form of frontline transport, the Jeep was made in hundreds of thousands during the war and served in every theatre of operations. During the war it brought the pleasures of driving to thousands of soldiers who would never have owned a car in civilian life and after the advantages of all-wheel drive to many who would not otherwise tried them.
Back in those post-war years, Willys-Overland tried to broaden their market by returning to the car and truck business, in addition to the CJ's. Their products were nothing like the smooth, graceful pre-war products. Instead they capitalized on the tough, utilitarian image of the Jeep with three new vehicles: the Willys Jeep Wagon in 1946, the Willys Jeep Truck in 1947, and the Willys Jeepster in 1948. These were called the 'Jeep' Utility Vehicles and all retained clear influences of the military Jeep, but the forms were intermediate between the normal rounded forms of the autos of the period and the boxy Jeep. The wagon was similar to the panel trucks or delivery wagons of the day, but with those unmistakable flat fenders (and later 4WD). The truck was similar in size and functionality of a GMC, Ford or Dodge truck of the day, but once again with the Jeep look and available in 4WD.
One account of the origin of the term "jeep" begins when the prototypes were being proven at military bases. The term "jeep" was used by soldiers for any untried or untested piece of personnel or equipment. In early 1941, Willys-Overland staged a press event in Washington, D.C., having the car demonstrate its prowess by driving up the Capitol steps. Irving "Red" Hausmann, a test driver on the Willys development team, who had accompanied the car for its testing at Camp Holabird, had heard soldiers there referring to it as a jeep. He was enlisted to go to the event and give a demonstration ride to a group of dignitaries, including Katherine Hillyer, a reporter for the Washington Daily News. When asked by the reporter, Hausmann too called it a Jeep. Hillyer's article appeared in the newspaper on February 20, 1941, with a photo showing a jeep going up the Capitol steps and a caption including the term 'jeep'. This is believed to be the most likely cause of the term being fixed in public awareness. Even though Hausmann did not create or invent the word Jeep, he very well could be the one most responsible for its first news media usage.
After the war, Ford unsuccessfully sued Willys for the rights to the term “Jeep," leaving Willys with full rights to the name, following which Willys took its four-wheel drive marvel to the public with its CJ (Civilian Jeep) versions, making these some of the first mass-produced 4x4 civilian vehicles ever.
1 comments:
It's amazing that the jeep is still one of the most versatile land vehicles around, almost a century after its introduction. Copies of the famous World War II jeeps are still manufactured in many countries. Many smaller armies around the world still use the jeep as their primary infantry vehicle. Today there are many kinds of all-terrain trucks and sport utility vehicles, yet the jeep has its own special place, not just for military enthusiasts but also for all-terrain adventurers.
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