International Special Delivery Truck on Snowy Street | Photograph | Wisconsin Historical Society

Photograph

International Special Delivery Truck on Snowy Street

International Special Delivery Truck on Snowy Street | Photograph | Wisconsin Historical Society
International Special Delivery truck on a snowy street in the Midwestern United States. The truck bears a sign that reads "Here it is! The truck that crossed the Sahara Desert." The truck was the first stock, four wheel motor vehicle to cross the Sahara Desert between December 1927 and April 1928. The trip started in Nairobi, Kenya. There the truck was outfitted with a special body and loaded with provisions such as a five gallon can of oil, one of water, and 76 gallons of gas. From there the truck traveled northwest for 3,800 miles over barren terrain and through rivers until it reached Kano, Nigeria. The driver, Mr. C.N. King, worked for the International Harvester Export Co. He was accompanied by a priest who wanted to visit mission stations along the way. The trip took 19 days, with the truck averaging 18.09 miles per gallon. At Kano, in March 1928, the truck was sold to two explorers who drove it north across the Sahara to Algiers. Sixteen days and 2,818 miles later, Sir Charles Markham and his companion, a Swede named von Blixen-Finecke arrived in Algiers. The truck subsequently toured the United States as part of an International Harvester publicity campaign.
DESCRIPTION
International Special Delivery truck on a snowy street in the Midwestern United States. The truck bears a sign that reads "Here it is! The truck that crossed the Sahara Desert." The truck was the first stock, four wheel motor vehicle to cross the Sahara Desert between December 1927 and April 1928. The trip started in Nairobi, Kenya. There the truck was outfitted with a special body and loaded with provisions such as a five gallon can of oil, one of water, and 76 gallons of gas. From there the truck traveled northwest for 3,800 miles over barren terrain and through rivers until it reached Kano, Nigeria. The driver, Mr. C.N. King, worked for the International Harvester Export Co. He was accompanied by a priest who wanted to visit mission stations along the way. The trip took 19 days, with the truck averaging 18.09 miles per gallon. At Kano, in March 1928, the truck was sold to two explorers who drove it north across the Sahara to Algiers. Sixteen days and 2,818 miles later, Sir Charles Markham and his companion, a Swede named von Blixen-Finecke arrived in Algiers. The truck subsequently toured the United States as part of an International Harvester publicity campaign.
RECORD DETAILS
Image ID:6928
Creation Date: 1929
Creator Name:International Harvester Company
City:
County:
State:
Collection Name:International Harvester Company photo albums, circa 1899-1965
Genre:Photograph
Original Format Type:
Original Format Number:
Original Dimensions:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A cropped version of this image appeared in "Harvester World" magazine (April 1929, pg. 15).
SUBJECTS
Voyages and travels
Men
Outdoor photography
Signs and signboards
Travel
Trucks
Snow

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Reference Details
Location:Wisconsin Historical Society Archives, 4th Floor, Madison, Wisconsin

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