By Shae Trewin, Museum Development Adviser | Kaiwhanake Whare Taonga, National Services Te Paerangi
From saddle bags to stickered hat-boxes, luggage paints a rich picture of the traveller and the nature of their journey making them a collectable piece of social and technological history. Whether by sea, road, rail or air, luggage makers adapted to travelers’ needs with materials and designs that balanced portability with protection with each piece capturing changes in the way New Zealanders travelled.
Sea
Early cabin passengers used traditional wooden chests to transport their clothing and household effects. Also common were campaign chests which were made up of individual segments for ease of transport, that could be reassembled as a traditional bureau or occasionally a portable desk. As pieces of furniture, campaign chests were used on land as well at sea.
Leather trunks with wooden or steel frames were commonplace due to their durability, portability and weather-proof exterior. Traveling wardrobes were practical for longer journeys. Resembling a vertical suitcase, a traveling wardrobe combines hanging storage on one side and drawers on the other. Like all chests or suitcases, they can be closed and locked, preventing spills in rough seas. Hats were commonly transported in custom boxes which over time were made from leather, wood, metal and cardboard. Some of the hat boxes collected by museums bear the names of the manufacturers, acting as a subtle status symbols. While others capture a travel snapshot, revealing the destination port, cabin and berth number of the traveller.
Horse
Long distance travel by horse or horse-drawn coach required durable all-weather luggage for rough roads, occasional falls, rain and water crossings. Leather satchels, saddlebags or canvas duffels were suitable for horseback while chests and trunks made of wood, metal, leather, and even cane were perched on a carriage.
Railway
Railway travel posed less risk to luggage in transit than an open-air coach. However, early luggage still had to survive the commute to and from the station and storage in the baggage car. As with seafaring travel, a robust trunk with reinforced corners was ideal in this situation.
Modern railway travel provided travellers greater freedom to carry less, being faster than road, and with conveniences onboard and at their destination. Carpet bags, duffel or gladstone-style bags, and small suitcases could be carried onboard and stowed on luggage racks.
Buses
Motorised buses were an economic solution to bridging air, rail and road networks. But their convenience, like all forms of transport, still imposed luggage limitations to minimise fuel and maximise seats.
Contiki Tours, established by New Zealander John Anderson in 1962, once provided standard issue suitcases and travel bags ensuring all passenger luggage and essential camping gear could fit onto their tour buses. Targeting young travellers, these branded luggage pieces turned bus-goers into mobile advertisements as they travelled throughout Europe and beyond.
Cars
The first cars, like horse carriages, offered little space and weather protection for luggage. Trunks and picnic baskets were commonly lashed onto the outside of these early vehicles. Contemporary vehicles, with enclosed boot spaces, were diverse in size and shape. Car travel opened new opportunities for luggage design, utilising new materials like plastic and vinyl that was stylish and light weight. Luggage could be less about durability but more about portability and style.
Aircraft
The popularisation of air travel saw another shift in luggage design as luggage designed for car boots and short stays didn’t suit the needs of long-haul travel.
Airline luggage had to withstand mechanised luggage belts and bulk handling over long distances and numerous layovers. Lightweight fabrics like vinyl, polyester, alloy, and shock-resistant materials became mainstream. Metal fastenings and latches were replaced by zips and plastic clasps. Carry handles were supplemented with wheels as passengers navigate through airports, hotels and city streets.
The iconic airline “cabin bag” has been replaced with “personal carry-on items” reflecting a shift in practical travel needs, and personal style. Ironically, truck shaped carry-ons have returned, although in a vertical orientation, for effortless rolling and to maximise space in overhead luggage bins.
