The image of 20 mules hauling a train of wagons was once as popular as the golden arches are today. Everyone knew what it meant. It was the trademark of Pacific Coast Boraxs most famous product, a laundry additive called Twenty Mule Team Borax. The companys advertising was dependent on one important fact: the connection between the Twenty Mule Team and Americas most notorious desert, Death Valley. From 1883 to 1888, teams of mules and wagons hauled borax out of the famed valley on the California-Nevada border. During those ...
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The image of 20 mules hauling a train of wagons was once as popular as the golden arches are today. Everyone knew what it meant. It was the trademark of Pacific Coast Boraxs most famous product, a laundry additive called Twenty Mule Team Borax. The companys advertising was dependent on one important fact: the connection between the Twenty Mule Team and Americas most notorious desert, Death Valley. From 1883 to 1888, teams of mules and wagons hauled borax out of the famed valley on the California-Nevada border. During those years, the teams were not famous; they were just a common means of transportation. After all, it was not the first time 20 mules hauled borax and it was not the longest or the most treacherous path. So what happened? How did this common form of transportation (the big-rig truck of its day) become transformed into an American icon? That is the story of this book.
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Add this copy of The Twenty Mule Team of Death Valley (Images of America to cart. $5.50, very good condition, Sold by Goodwill Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hillsboro, OR, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Arcadia Publishing (SC).
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Add this copy of The Twenty Mule Team of Death Valley (Images of America to cart. $5.50, very good condition, Sold by HPB Inc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Arcadia Publishing.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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I grew up with the iconic Twenty Mule Team Borax (and its competitor, Boraxo) but never knew the story behind this industry. Watching Death Valley Days did not disclose the fascinating history behind the use of borax, nor the struggles involved in the mining and transportation of this very valuable product.
This is one of the latest entries in the Images of America series, which preserve local history. The tales told in this book, however, have an impact far greater than the local region which supplied the arresting photographic history which is compellingly assembled.
Far from being a collection of parochial anecdotes, the history recounted in this book has universal appeal and helps to enlighten the reader as to the course of the western reaches of the United States following quickly upon the gold rush. It clarifies the motivations of people involved and sets forth the difficulties there are, and have always been, in establishing a profitable business which serves the public's needs.
The growth of business, the trials it faces, and the changes it goes through are cogently set forth. We are treated to the "reenactments" of advertising, and how it may reflect the challenge and the spirit, even when that advertising it may not be completely accurate in historical detail.
This is an extremely worthwhile read for anyone who wishes to understand the history of both the region, as well as the borax industry. It is well-written and pleasing to the eye. It is a highly welcome addition to the Images of America series.
