One of the most loved cars to ever be invented was just created a mere 76 years ago. During World War II the U.S. Army was trying to find a car company that could manufacture a vehicle that was lightweight and could navigate anywhere. A few companies responded and eventually they all joined forces and came up with the now famous Jeep. The Jeep brand became so popular with the military that even civilians were trying to get their hands on the vehicle. The Jeep has changed in many ways, from its uses to looks and from military to a civilian must-have.
Before the Jeep was even a thought, three different vehicle manufactures pitched a vehicle idea to the U.S. Army for use. Eventually the two companies used the same basic idea the company, Bantam, had used to come up with three different prototypes. One company, Willys, named their car “Quad” but only two prototypes were made. Another company, Ford, named their vehicle “pygmy”. The Willys company were able to make their prototype in just seventy-five days (A Lifetime). Unfortunately the U.S. Army did not want that vehicle for what they needed. They went back to the drawing board for new innovative ideas for a more lightweight, off road vehicle. The Army had a very specific list of qualities that the vehicle must have in order to be a candidate for they wanted. Some of the qualities they wanted were four-wheel drive, no more than 1,300 pounds, and able to hold 600 pounds (Fetherston par. 4).
Eventually the Jeep model was created and the Army was impressed. Eventually the Bantam company could not keep up with production and ran out of finances. Ford and Willys produced more than 700,000 vehicles during World War II (Fetherston par. 10-11). The Jeep became so popular in the military that they were shipped to be used by allied forces such as Canada, Britain, New Zealand, and Australia (Fetherston).
The first productions of the Jeep had many obstacles and issues. With only the 49 days the Army allowed Ford and Willys to get prototypes out to them many things could easily be overlooked (1940-1941 Jeep). Once prototypes reach the military they have to go through many tests to see if it is a vehicle the military would want to use in the war. One test included a 3,400 miles drive off roads (Fetherston). The different models that were tested all had different issues from the engine malfunctioning to a transmission not suitable for the job (1940-1941 Jeep).
These vehicles were the early versions of the now famous Jeep. They were able to help during the War and now are a pleasure for many off road adventures. When soldiers would come back from duty they would try and get their hands on these new high demanded vehicles. Over ten thousand Jeeps were sold to civilians (Ellis par. 5). Even the civilians would try and get a piece of what all of the military personnel were raving about. Everyone wanted to have a part of the new toy. Like any other new technology the Jeep was a huge hit amongst the public, if you did not have one you were not a part of the popular crowd. Everyone who was anyone had a Jeep. What started as a military necessity for easy transportation turned into all the hype across America.
Even today the Jeep is changing and is in high demand. Many people enjoy the looks and others enjoy taking their Jeeps out off roads in the country to find the biggest mud holes possible. The Jeep has gone through many changes in order to accommodate weather changes and any kind of terrain (Manningham par. 3). The well-known Jeep is everywhere in America now. From military uses to the woods the Jeep has many purposes just as it did back in the 1940s.
All in all, the highly demanded Jeep came about because the Army needed a good vehicle to transport important things and go anywhere to a luxury car for anyone and everyone. From being created in only 49 days to being manufactured every day. The Jeep company is creating new innovating ways to make the Jeep vehicle better and better every day. From military needs to outback mudding, the Jeep is loved by everyone.
Works Cited
Ellis, Alan. "The Jeep Brands Role in World War II". The Jeep Blog. 30 May 2011. Web. 18 Octocber 2016.
Fetherston, David. “Jeep History”. Hrja. 1995. Web. 18 October 2016.
Manningham, Guy. "The Evolution of Jeep". Cochran. 2016. Web. 18 October 2016.
"1940-1941 Jeep" HowStuffWorks.com. 14 December 2007. Web. 18 October 2016.
<http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1940-1941-jeep.htm>
“A Lifetime of Adventure”. Jeep. 2015. Web. 18 October 2016.
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