airstream

An airstream can refer to the stream of air that flows past a body in motion, a concept central to aerodynamics and fluid dynamics. It is described by parameters such as velocity, density, temperature, and pressure, and influences lift, drag, and boundary-layer behavior. In aviation and automotive contexts, the term is used to refer to the air moving relative to the object, as in a wake behind a vehicle or the air entering an engine.

Airstream is also the name of Airstream, Inc., an American manufacturer of travel trailers and touring coaches. The company was founded in 1931 by Wally Byam and became known for its distinctive rounded aluminum exterior and riveted construction, often nicknamed the “silver bullet” design. The brand’s trailers are widely used in recreational travel and are produced at the company’s factory in Jackson Center, Ohio.

Over the decades, Airstream expanded from simple travel trailers to motorized touring coaches, and its products have become iconic in United States camping culture. Models include the International, Flying Cloud, and Classic lines, noted for their polished aluminum skin and functional interiors designed for durability and resale value.

In both uses, the term conveys ideas of movement and efficiency, whether describing the flow of air around objects or the design philosophy of a long-standing RV manufacturer.