MTFCA Forum

I suppose by 1914 there were organizations for groups of mechanics and they might join a parade,
J.O.U.A.M. Junior Order United American Mechanics is what the letters are supposed to stand for. There is a car behind them in the parade.

Interesting. I hadn't heard of them so I looked it up.

Long before the advent of grease-covered automobile monkeys, carpenters, wheelwrights, cabinet makers, tinsmiths, millwrights, blacksmiths, and carriage and wagon builders (even sign painters) i.e. practically all skilled trades - were collectively referred to as "mechanics".

Not unfairly, after the horseless carriage took over, guys who fixed them came to be called mechanics - working on cars (especially the early ones) covers most of those trades. I suspect the fellows on parade represent the broader meaning of the term.

I recall an older fellow looking at the remains of a 1908 REO at a show in the 60's. He recalled "The carburetors on those were not very good. You had to go to Salt Lake City to find a man who could fix one. And you had to call him Mister".
I think the experts back then might have reached Rocket Scientist status. There was an interlude in the field when the average guy could keep a car going. We have progressed to where we started from.

J. O. U. A. M. began as a youth organization of a fraternal organization established in 1845. It became an independent society in 1885.

Chevrolet adopted the flags