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Interstates and Television
The '50s was a decade of growth and economic prosperity, well deserved after years of depression and war. Trucks were bigger and better and entirely new products and services were available. In response, America made great strides in infrastructure and interstate travel became the norm.
According to Melvin D. "Don" Duncan, Jr. (president of Red Ball in the '90s), the opening of interstates opened up a new world in trucking. "As a matter of fact, in 1956 I believe it was, I was sitting in my truck about 40 miles west of St. Louis, about 12th in a long line of traffic. Cars and trucks were lined up at a ribbon cutting ceremony which would open the first leg of Interstate 70. Rolling onto that highway was a real experience."
Interstates soon crisscrossed the country and the motor truck industry came into its own, with more cost effective, faster trips. Soon the trucking industry had cut deeply into the market traditionally earmarked for railroads, starting the real decline of those once powerful companies.
The great exodus out of the cities and to the suburbs had begun. As suburban homes were built all across America, moving companies jockeyed for position and their share of the market.
The early days of television were exciting and far different from today, but American Red Ball took full advantage of this newest form of advertising. For instance, Red Ball sponsored the popular "Queen for a Day" program. As the show moved from city to city, offering to make some lucky woman "Queen for a Day," the stage props were transported on a specially painted American Red Ball van, with great publicity advantages.
