Chapter 1
The great steamship stack up
Chapter 2
Floating safes and sliding drawers
Chapter 3
The engineering of a mobile palace
Chapter 4
Anatomy of a masterpiece
Ch 1 · The great steamship stack up
Glossary
steamer trunk (noun)
A large, flat-topped luggage chest designed for transport on steamships and railway trains. In 1858, Louis Vuitton introduced flat-topped models that allowed efficient stacking in steamship cargo holds.
A large, flat-topped luggage chest designed for transport on steamships and railway trains. In 1858, Louis Vuitton introduced flat-topped models that allowed efficient stacking in steamship cargo holds.
Fun Fact
Houdinis lock refusal: Georges Vuitton challenged Harry Houdini to escape his trunk lock, but Houdini declined.
Quiz
Which trunk maker patented the revolutionary, unpickable tumbler lock system in 1886?
Quiz
Where did Louis Vuitton open his first historic workshop in 1859 to keep up with trunk demand?
Quiz
Which famous escape artist did Georges Vuitton publicly challenge to break out of a locked trunk?
Quiz
How does Moynats founding year of 1849 compare to other famous French trunk makers?
Quiz
What natural, rubber-like substance did Moynat patent in 1854 to waterproof its travel trunks?
Quiz
What was the name of the waterproof gray canvas used on Louis Vuittons first flat-topped trunk in 1858?
Quiz
In which decade did the widespread rise of steam trains make domed trunks impractical?