Historic Photos Depicting The Chaos And Mayhem In The Early Days Of The Automobile

January 10, 2023

Leslie Jones, a photographer for Boston Herald-Traveler, amassed a vast collection of photographs taken in the 1930s that display the early experiences behind the wheel for Americans. The haunting black and white photos show the chaos and mayhem experienced on the roads by the early drivers. With an eye for a dramatic scene, Leslie Jones took hundreds of photographs from 1917 to 1956 and captured many images of destruction on the roads by the vintage vehicles and their often fatal crashes.

Many Early Vehicles Were Hauled Out Of The Water

Taking a nose dive in a car is never a fun prospect, especially when it's into the near-frozen waters off the eastern coast. Many of the hundreds of photographs taken by Leslie Jones involved vehicles being hauled out of the water. This vehicle managed to bury its nose in the muck and remain completely upright long enough for Jones to snap a pic. Hopefully, it was removed before the visible ice could creep in around it.

The Dangers Of Driving In The Winter

Before power steering and winter tires, driving in snowy conditions was a dangerous endeavor. The icy roads were too much for this early vehicle.The image of this car completely wrapped around a tree after losing traction on the road should serve as a reminder to use caution in poor conditions and a warning to those who still opt for all-seasons in the winter.

A Truck Crashes Through A Garage

Included in Leslie Jones’ collection of photographs is this image of a truck crashing through the garage wall on an upper story in East Cambridge in Boston, MA. After a scene like this, it is surprising that we still opted to build multistory parking garages. Perhaps this driver should have considered underground parking.

An Unusual Place To Park

Parking in the city has been a challenge since the invention of the car. While this driver may have felt fortunate to find a parking spot close to the shops, he or she likely struggled to make an exit. The responding officer looks none-too-happy about issuing this parking ticket. As usual, Leslie Jones was right on the scene to capture the image.

Many Scenes Captured Include Fatalities

Macabre scenes on the side of the road have been a risk for drivers since the earliest days of motor vehicles. This tragic scene involving a vehicle that crashed into the frigid waters of the Boston shoreline was captured by Jones, while a policeman struggles to clear a path to pull the vehicle out of its icy tomb.

This Car Jumped A Curb

Without the modern advances in suspension systems, vehicles were far less stable in the early days of motorists. This vehicle jumped a curb and crashed into the steps of a home. Luckily, it appears no one was hit by the runaway vehicle. Hopefully, the driver and passengers also escaped without injury. If you look closely at the underside of this car, you can see the primitive leaf-springs and single axle design that predicated current suspension systems.

The Mail Man Hurries To Deliver

Through rain, snow, sleet or hail, the USPS will always deliver, unless there's a blow-out. A flat tire caused this early U.S. Mail truck to careen off-course and smack right into a tree, crushing the front of the vehicle. Maybe if he had not been in such a hurry to deliver the mail, the accident could have been avoided. This picture gives us an early look at crumple-zone technology.

Another Vehicle Immersed In Water

Just like today, firefighters were often first responders to vehicle accidents and passers-by were often intrigued by someone else's catastrophe. Whether it was driver error or mechanical failure, this picture of another car that threw itself into the water features some of the first recorded rubber-neckers. The fire and police departments make their rescue from the shore and on the water, while fascinated people watch from the sidelines. The uninjured driver seems happy to make his precarious escape.

Each Image Depicts An Intimate Catastrophe

The evolution of large vehicles also demanded a restructuring of roadway infrastructure. This seven-tonne dump truck collapsed through the surface of the Warren Avenue bridge in Boston, MA. The truck driver does not appear in a hurry to exit the vehicle, but he might just be waiting for a helping hand from one of the grinning onlookers.

A Dramatic Ending For This Early Vehicle

Leslie Jones’ many photographs depict dramatic scenes to capture the eye and the imagination. In this photo, he captures a scene that would go on to be a staple of Hollywood and cartoons alike - a vehicle propped on the remains of a fire hydrant while water floods the street. Jones' photographs were seen dailyby thousands of people and have been digitized by the Boston Public Library to preserve them for generations to come.

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