In the Netflix Korean Drama series, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, one of the main characters had a dream of traveling around Korea in a camper van.

This became a reality for many in 2020 during lockdown. Since hotels and plane flights were a risk factor for Covid-19, many people resorted to RVs and more traditional camping as an escape from the virus. RVs, although seemingly a newer innovation, have a rich history that has been collected over the past 100 years.

Recreational vehicles, or RVs, are not a new concept by any means. In fact, they have a rich history spanning over 100 years. The inspiration for RVs can be traced back to the gypsy wagons of the 19th century.

These wagons allowed people to travel comfortably with all human necessities, and the idea of having a mobile home on wheels began to take shape. The first RVs were introduced in 1910, during the automotive industry’s rapid growth and popularity. However, it was not until 1915 that recreational vehicles began to gain popularity after a New York family embarked on a trip to California in a custom-built vehicle known as the “Gypsy Van.” This inspired others to adjust and create innovations, improving the RV’s design.

During the Great Depression, more people started using recreational vehicles which ranged from 500-1,000, a more affordable option in comparison to homes. RV production paused during WWII, but recreational vehicles were being used as mobile hospitals to ration out materials. After the war was over, the popularity of RVs increased and they became more affordable and came with more modern features.

This became a reality for me during the Covid lockdown when my father purchased a 24-foot RV. He realized that family vacation traveling by air flight will not be possible and road trips in a 150-square-foot RV will become our family vacation for the foreseeable future. The average size home in the United States is around 2,500 square feet and increasing. My brother and I have our own bedroom and separate study area in our household. After thinking about it, about half of our house, we do not use. Most of the time, we only use the family room, kitchen, and bedrooms.

After several long trips in the RV up to 10 nights with the family including my dog, Charlie. I have adapted and learned to deal with small spaces. The front passenger seats

became my area of solitude. At least even though it is a small space, I can call it my own.

I will forever remember these trips, hiking down Bryce Canyon surrounded by naturally forming “hoodoos” or almost dying of thirst after hiking up to the delicate arch at the Arches National Park. The small space of the RV brought our family together bringing a sense of closeness and camaraderie. Those trips will forever remind me it’s Okay to live in a small space.

<Ellie Byun Santiago High School 9th Grade>