At the turn of the century, the automobile was struggling for acceptance.

There were no paved highways between cities and no maps of existing wag on roads. Automobiles were not dependable for trips of any length,and motoring laws and regulations reflected the general public's attitude that automobiles were toys of the idle rich and should be severely restricted,if not totally banned. Fortunately, there were small numbers of those who owned and believed in the automobile. Sharing a common interest, they began forming motor clubs to combat the mounting number of unjust motoring laws and regulations being enacted against them and their automobiles and to fight for better roads. They also began producing their own hand-sketched maps and written route directions. The efforts of these clubs produced positive results at local and at state levels, but they did nothing to address motoring needs at the national level.

Tough Going

There were wide differences in the methods, quality and scope of road construction and maintenance between states and communities. Regulations were so incomprehensible that only the most daring would venture far from their own familiar areas. Adding to this dilemma, few clubs had the resources to produce even the sketchiest route description beyond 100 miles from their own headquarters. And those maps, more often than not, did not dovetail with neighboring club maps. 

It became obvious that if anything was to be done about these problems, it would be up to the local clubs to coordinate their efforts at the national level. That idea came to life on March 4, 1902, when representatives of nine clubs met in Chicago and formed the American Automobile Association. The new AAA's purpose was:

1. To secure rational legislation.
2. To formulate proper rules governing the use of the automobile.
3. To protect the interest of automobilists against unjust discrimination.
4. To maintain their lawful rights and privileges.
5. To encourage the use of the automobile and its development.
6. To promote the "Good Roads" movement.

It is interesting to note that although the scope of AAA operations is ever expanding to meet the changing needs of its members, these six purposes still remain the top priority of the association's efforts.

A Tour is Born

The new AAA soon adopted a plan for an automotive tour through different parts of the country where a variety of road conditions would be encountered. It was also determined that the 1904 World's Fair at St. Louis would be the destination. Officially, 77 cars participated in the run, of which 66 made it to St. Louis. Along the routes, hundreds more joined the touring groups for a day or more. Among the official participants, 36 separate makes of automobiles were represented of which only four are still in production: Cadillac, Mercedes, Oldsmobile and White (trucks).  The 1,350 mile run from New York to St. Louis took 18 days. AAA coordinated the plan and provided participants with maps and descriptions of the routes through their areas, along with local driving laws and licensing requirements. They sent out pilot cars to mark confusing turns in the route and encouraged local motorists to accompany the groups. Clubs arranged for letters of greeting from local officials, offered listings of local hotels, assisted in securing reservations, arranged for meals and, in most instances, provided some form of entertainment. AAA arranged for cars to be lodged overnight in a central location so they could be viewed by the public and, if repairs were needed, arranged for suitable overnight garage space.

Reporters at Large

The trip was a major media event, resulting in front-page stories filled with excitement, adventure and local enthusiasm. For the moment, the automobile became the topic of conversation across America. More important was the significant role the press coverage played, as reporters were exposed to some 3,000 miles of American roads, such as they were, and hundreds of different laws. Their stories of deplorable road conditions and unreasonable regulations embarrassed state and local officials. Even national politicians were beginning to feel public pressure to correct the problems. But most important, Americans, for the first time, began looking at the automobile in a positive way and considering its possibility as a serious means of transportation.

Let the Competition Begin

The original tour was deemed a success, and AAA planned a second run for the following year. To attract more sponsors, AAA announced the event would be a reliability and endurance tour with strict rules and a winner. Wanting to prove their products' marketability in a competitive test against the more favored European-made models, American automakers stepped up as major sponsors of the event. Of all the sponsors, Charles J. Glidden, a wealthy New England industrialist and avid automobile supporter, became the most notable when he offered a $2,000 trophy to AAA to be competed for by the touring cars. The annual AAA tours then became known as the Glidden Tours. Like the run to St. Louis, the annual Glidden Tours were charted over mountains and rough roads and were considered the most grueling test for automobiles until the Indianapolis 500 began in 1911. As the tours continued, more and more auto manufacturers became sponsors to take advantage of the opportunity to test and advertise their products. By 1908, the tour assumed the characteristics of an all-out contest for prestige among manufacturers. The annual tours were ended in 1913. American-made cars had proven their reliability and ended European prestige by winning every tour. Good roads were now being built. Fair motoring laws were being enacted. Best of all, there was now one car for every 35 persons in the country as compared to one car for every 1,000 persons when the tours began. 

The annual tours were revived in 1946 by the Veteran Motor Car Club of America and are a showcase activity of the antique car hobby. Source: Veteran Motor Car Club of America.