Coffee With Jim

Route 66 blurs the line between the past and the present, and even the future. The San José de la Laguna Mission at the Laguna Pueblo dates to 1699. The village is even older. A few hundred miles to the west in Kingman Arizona the Historic Electric Vehicle Foundation is establishing the world's first EV museum.

Connecting these tangible links to our past and our future is legendary Route 66, the most famous highway in the world. In the year of the Route 66 centennial, planning a Route 66 road trip, driving Route 66, and marketing Route 66 is nostalgia and romanticism wrapped in apps, interactive websites, podcasts, and social media networks. 

This juxtaposition is made manifest in Jerry McClanahan's EZ 66 Guide For Travelers, a delightful guidebook that seems to have been lifted from the 1950s. It is also manifest in the multifaceted Route 66 Navigation app that has transformed the way people plan a trip as well as travel Route 66. And you will see a blending of past and present in interactive travel planning websites like Visit Kingman developed by Talisman Magic Marketing. 

On today's episode of Coffee With Jim, author, historian, and humorist Jim Hinckley talks about this blending of the past and present that ensures Route 66 will never fade from popularity as long as the American story provides inspiration. We will be revisiting this subject on an upcoming program when our guest is acclaimed documentary film producer John Paget, creator of Route 66: The Main Street of America, the official chronicle of the Route 66 centennial. 

Here at Jim Hinckley's America an example of how the line between past and present can be blurred is found in support from out listeners through Patreon. It is also on display with our sponsors that share our passion for road trips and the American story - Deana Nelson State Farm Insurance, Roadrunner Lodge Motel, RouteTrip USA, Two Lane America, Enchanted Trails Trading Post & RV Park, and Gilligan's Route 66 Tours.  

 

Forgotten pioneers, the women of the auto industry, is a fascinating chapter in the American story. Did you know that the heater that keeps you warm on the winter morning commute in Detroit was the brainchild of Margaret A, Wilcox? Florence Lawrence was a Hollywood pioneer and one of the first superstars of the silver screen. And she was also an automotive pioneer credited with the first turn signal device and first brake warning device.

The more I delved into this story about the dawning of the auto age, and the visionary pioneers that helped put the world on wheels, the more fascinating it became. Are you familiar with the name Helen Dryden or Marie Luhring? Wait until you hear a bit of their story!

Sharing America's story, it's what we do!