The Rise & Fall of The Great American Motel - Route 66

When people around the globe think of the American highway system, images of motels along Route 66 is often what comes to mind. These motels were typically family-owned and operated. Bringing with them a certain kind of kitsch and charm that made its way deep into the American culture. Increasingly these icons are being abandoned, repurposed, or being demolished. With that in mind, I would like to take a moment to reflect on how these icons of American innovation came to be and eventually fell from favor.
Like all innovation, Motels were created out of necessity. One that began on October 1, 1908, when Henry Ford unleashed his Model-T on the American market. Thanks to his innovation of the assembly line; he was able to offer the Model-T for the shockingly low price of $360. For the first time, the American working class could afford a vehicle and they were hungry to explore their vast country. And this group was growing daily, by 1914 Ford had sold half a million cars. With the advent of Ford’s “Tin Lizzie” car the pace of sales increased. So much so that by 1927 they comprised half of the cars on the road. By this time Mr. Ford had sold over 15 million automobiles
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