Robert John Gilbert (1926-2007) was a lifelong resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who developed an early interest in all forms of transportation and maintained a large collection of truck-related literature and photographs. He served during World War II and worked as a silkscreen printer by profession. Gilbert became an accomplished photographer as well as an avid model builder and model railroader.

He was the son of Ella Victoria Wenell (1895-1992) and Syvert Olaus Gilbert (1886-1943).

Truck production in the United States accelerated rapidly during the twentieth century in a variety of ways.

After World War I, farmers began modifying automobiles and military trucks for farming, which led to the first consumer pickup truck rolling off the Ford assembly line in 1928. From that point forward, a truck became a necessary piece of farm equipment. The introduction of mass-produced, affordable farm tractors in the inter-war years allowed farmers to significantly expand their land holdings and crop production.

After World War II, the development of the interstate highway system and growth in over-the-road freight movement led to the development of more powerful semi-trucks equipped with sleeper cabs for long-haul trucking.

Post-World War II prosperity increased consumer demand for automobiles as well. Manufacturers began designing larger vehicles for families, including station wagons and vans. As families were able to afford more than one vehicle, luxury and speciality models like convertibles became fashionable.

The recreational vehicle industry emerged in the late 1950s, beginning with small camper caps that attached to the bed of a pickup truck, then progressing to towable camping trailers and finally including larger drivable RVs complete with bathrooms and dishwashers.