Walkabout Travel Gear

Last updated
Walkabout Travel Gear
IndustryInternet Sale
FoundedMay 3, 1995
FounderGia and Bradford Boyle

Walkabout Travel Gear was an online retailer of travel accessories that was, at the time, one of few companies to begin selling on the Internet. The company went online in November 1995. The first capture by archive.org was on December 23, 1996. [1] The domain name "walkabouttravelgear.com" was not secured until early 1996. The internet address upon startup was xmission.com/~walkgear/walk.htm. [2] A printout of the website dated June 29, 1996, is available. [3]

Contents

Founding

Walkabout Travel Gear was founded by Gia and Bradford Grant Boyle. Their original inspiration came on March 3, 1995, on the island of Malta. While on a European backpacking trip, the couple noticed there was a lack of travel gear companies targeting independent travellers on a budget. They cut their journey short, returning home to Salt Lake City, Utah. They used their remaining savings [4] to research, purchase inventory, and produce a print catalog. The catalog was designed to capture the practicality as well as the cost consciousness of the products. Bradford Grant Boyle had previous graphics experience. [5] [6]

The novelty of an internet business plus Walkabout Travel Gear's niche market quickly caught the attention of Utah then national media. Deseret News ran an article in early 1996, and KSL-TV television included them in its weekly business show. [7] National publications including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, [8] Los Angeles Times, and Fortune Small Business [9] mentioned the company. The walkabouttravelgear.com website won awards including Point's Top 5% of All Websites and Top Shopping Site Award by the All-Internet Shopping Site Directory.

Growth

Once the business was established, the Boyles moved to Moab, Utah, in 1996 as the online business allowed them to live in the city of their choice. A retail outlet was opened at 88 East Center Street. [10] The venture was short lived, as the couple decided to solely focus on the internet. Additional publicity occurred when the Boyles converted an old 36 foot motorhome into a mobile office. Named Bessie, [11] the motorhome allowed the business to become mobile, possibly the first internet business to do so. [12]

The increasing need for international travelers to use their laptops as well as access the internet created a demand for electrical adapters, converters, and telephone adapters. While today most electronics are dual voltage 100-240V and capable of handling electricity worldwide, previously many of them needed a voltage converter. Also, there are a multitude of electric outlet styles and an adapter is often required. Prior to the invention of Wi-Fi, a modem was needed to connect to the internet and had to be physically connected to a telephone jack and plug.

While remaining focused on the original niche market of independent travelers, Walkabout Travel Gear grew into a large supplier of converters and adapters. Travel guidebook series like Fodor's and Lonely Planet recommended them. [13] In 2012 the Walkabout Solution was released, combining automatically switching voltage supply and several of the most common outlet adapters. Extremely popular, the device eliminated the needed for traveling with several adapters and a converter. [14]

By 2006 the company had grown dramatically and moved to a fulfillment center in Healdsburg, California. As the internet matured, so did Walkabout Travel Gear. After 26 years of online success, the company paused operations because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Demand for travel accessories was very limited with worldwide travel restrictions.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PC Card</span> Expansion card standard for laptop computers

PC Card is a parallel peripheral interface for laptop computers and PDAs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moab, Utah</span> City in Utah, United States of America

Moab is the largest city and county seat of Grand County in eastern Utah in the western United States, known for its dramatic scenery. The population was 5,366 at the 2020 census. Moab attracts many tourists annually, mostly visitors to the nearby Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. The town is a popular base for mountain bikers who ride the extensive network of trails including the Slickrock Trail, and for off-roaders who come for the annual Moab Jeep Safari.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IEC 60320</span> Set of standards for AC power connectors used on domestic appliances on the appliance side

IEC 60320 Appliance couplers for household and similar general purposes is a set of standards from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) specifying non-locking connectors for connecting power supply cords to electrical appliances of voltage not exceeding 250 V (a.c.) and rated current not exceeding 16 A. Different types of connector are specified for different combinations of current, temperature and earthing requirements. Unlike IEC 60309 connectors, they are not coded for voltage; users must ensure that the voltage rating of the equipment is compatible with the mains supply. The standard uses the term coupler to encompass connectors on power cords and power inlets and outlets built into appliances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Power cord</span> Electrical cable that connects an appliance to the electricity supply via a wall socket

A power cord, line cord, or mains cable is an electrical cable that temporarily connects an appliance to the mains electricity supply via a wall socket or extension cord. The terms are generally used for cables using a power plug to connect to a single-phase alternating current power source at the local line voltage. The terms power cable, mains lead, flex or kettle lead are also used. A lamp cord is a light-weight, ungrounded, single-insulated two-wire cord used for small loads such as a table or floor lamp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Power strip</span> Electrical component

A power strip is a block of electrical sockets that attaches to the end of a flexible cable, allowing multiple electrical devices to be powered from a single electrical socket. Power strips are often used when many electrical devices are in proximity, such as for audio, video, computer systems, appliances, power tools, and lighting. Power strips often include a circuit breaker to interrupt the electric current in case of an overload or a short circuit. Some power strips provide protection against electrical power surges. Typical housing styles include strip, rack-mount, under-monitor and direct plug-in.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travel agency</span> Retailer that provides tourism-related services

A travel agency is a private retailer or public service that provides travel and tourism-related services to the general public on behalf of accommodation or travel suppliers to offer different kinds of travelling packages for each destination. Travel agencies can provide outdoor recreation, arranging logistics for luggage and medical items delivery for travellers upon request, public transport timetables, car rentals, and bureau de change services. Travel agencies can also serve as general sales agents for airlines that do not have offices in a specific region. A travel agency's main function is to act as an agent, selling travel products and services on behalf of a supplier. They are also called Travel Advisors. They do not keep inventory in-hand unless they have pre-booked hotel rooms or cabins on a cruise ship for a group travel event such as a wedding, honeymoon, or other group event.

<i>Deseret News</i> Newspaper published by the LDS Church

The Deseret News is a multi-platform newspaper based in Salt Lake City, published by Deseret News Publishing Company, a subsidiary of Deseret Management Corporation, which is owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Founded in 1850, it was the first newspaper to be published in Utah. The publication's name is from the geographic area of Deseret identified by Utah's pioneer settlers, and much of the publication's reporting is rooted in that region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AC adapter</span> Type of external power supply

An AC adapter or AC/DC adapter is a type of external power supply, often enclosed in a case similar to an AC plug. Other common names include wall charger, power adapter, power brick, and wall wart. Adapters for battery-powered equipment may be described as chargers or rechargers. AC adapters are used with electrical devices that require power but do not contain internal components to derive the required voltage and power from mains power. The internal circuitry of an external power supply is very similar to the design that would be used for a built-in or internal supply.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deseret Book Company</span> American publishing company

Deseret Book is an American publishing company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, that also operates a chain of bookstores throughout the western United States. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Deseret Management Corporation (DMC), the holding company for business firms owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Deseret Book is a for-profit corporation registered in Utah. Deseret Book publishes under four imprints with media ranging from works explaining LDS theology and doctrine, LDS-related fiction, electronic resources, and sound recordings such as The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Docking station</span> Computer connection

In computing, a docking station or port replicator (hub) or dock provides a simplified way to plug-in a mobile device, such as connect common peripherals to a laptop, or charge a smartphone. Because a wide range of dockable devices—from mobile phones to wireless mouse—have different connectors, power signaling, and uses, docks are unstandardized and are therefore often designed for a specific type of device.

Ancestry.com LLC is an American genealogy company based in Lehi, Utah. The largest for-profit genealogy company in the world, it operates a network of genealogical, historical records, and related genetic genealogy websites.

Backcountry.com is an online specialty retailer that sells clothing and outdoor recreation gear for hiking, camping, road biking, mountain biking, rock climbing, winter sports, fly fishing, kayaking, rafting, road and trail running, and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sierra (retailer)</span> American off-price retailer

Sierra Trading Post, Inc., doing business as Sierra, is an online and brick-and-mortar retailer of off-price merchandise operated by the TJX Companies. The Framingham, Massachusetts–based company offers products in categories such as outdoor recreation, fitness and adventure gear, and apparel, along with footwear, clothing, and home decor. Sierra sells merchandise through 78 retail stores as of November 2022 and a company website. It carries products from approximately 3,000 name-brand manufacturers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automobile auxiliary power outlet</span> Outlet for portable accessories

An automobile auxiliary power outlet in an automobile was initially designed to power an electrically heated cigarette lighter, but became a de facto standard DC connector to supply electrical power for portable accessories used in or near an automobile directly from the vehicle's electrical system. Such include mobile phone chargers, cooling fans, portable fridges, electric air pumps, and power inverters.

Le Travel Store, based in San Diego, California, was a retail store that sells travel gear. Founded in 1976, Le Travel Store claims to be the first business to call itself a "travel store," and, the first retail store to cater to backpackers and other independent travelers, selling luggage, travel accessories, guidebooks, maps, and backpacks in a single retail location.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peruvian Connection</span>

Peruvian Connection Ltd. is a United States-based retailer of high-end women’s clothing and accessories. Originally started as a mail-order catalog, the company also sells online and through eight retail stores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steph Davis</span> American rock climber (born 1973)

Stephanie "Steph" Davis is an American rock climber, BASE jumper, and wingsuit flyer. She is one of the world's leading climbers, having completed some of the hardest routes in the world. She has free soloed up to 5.11a (6b+), and was the first woman to summit all the peaks of the Fitzroy Range in Patagonia, the second woman to free climb El Capitan in a day, the first woman to free climb the Salathė Wall on El Capitan, the first woman to free solo The Diamond on Longs Peak in Colorado, and the first woman to summit Torre Egger. Davis was married to fellow climbers and BASE jumpers Dean Potter and Mario Richard, and currently to sky-diving instructor, flyer, and jumper Ian Mitchard. Davis is also a blogger who writes about her interests in climbing, BASE jumping, yoga, and veganism.

EmPower is a brand name that refers to three different power outlets available on commercial airlines:

Forbes Travel Guide is a star rating service and online travel guide for hotels, restaurants and spas. In 2011, Forbes Travel Guide published its last set of guidebooks and on November 15, 2011, launched its new online home, ForbesTravelGuide.com, which covers numerous international destinations, including Hong Kong, Macau, Beijing, Singapore, Shanghai, Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin America, Japan, Thailand and London. ForbesTravelGuide.com combines Forbes Travel Guide's Five-Star travel ratings system with insights and perspectives from Forbes Travel Guide's own inspectors.

References

  1. ↑ "Capture by Wayback Machine December 23, 1996". Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 1996-12-23.
  2. ↑ "Walkabout Travel Gear is a Runaway Success by Max B. Knudson. February 25, 1996". Deseret News. 25 February 1996.
  3. ↑ "Foreign Electricity products Walkabout Travel Gear". 29 June 1996.
  4. ↑ "Forge a Community of Customers. MyBusiness Magazine. March/April 2000". 2000.
  5. ↑ "Walkabout Travel Gear print catalog 1996". 1996.
  6. ↑ "Walkabout Travel Gear print catalog Volume 12". 2006.
  7. ↑ "Utah Business April 21, 1996". 21 April 1996.
  8. ↑ Biersdorfer, J. d. (22 August 2002). "Plugging in a Laptop when Traveling Abroad New York Times by J.d. Biersdorfer. August 22, 2002". New York Times.
  9. ↑ "Fortune Small Business Magazine. Anatomy of a Site". December 1999.
  10. ↑ "Moab travel good store receives national acclaim". Moab Times Independent. Moab, Utah. December 10, 1998. p. 14. Retrieved June 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "History of Walkabout Travel Gear". Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on 2018-08-21.
  12. ↑ "The Dot-Coms Go Back to Basics". ABC News.
  13. ↑ Fodor's England 2010. 2010. ISBN   9781400008612.
  14. ↑ "Gifts for travelers, from bags to gadgets by Beth J. Harpaz. November 22, 2014". Sacramento Bee.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.