Rachel Gross Unpacks the Evolution of Outdoor Gear and the American Outdoor Identity [EP 431]

Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle Podcast

This week I'm talking with Rachel Gross, an environmental and cultural historian of the modern U. S. and an assistant professor of history at the University of Colorado Denver. Among many accolades and experiences, Rachel was a Carson Fellow at the Rachel Carson Center in Munich and, for her doctoral research, wrote about the history of outdoor clothing and gear in the U.S. from the Civil War to the present. Her book is: Shopping All the Way to the Woods: How the Outdoor Industry Sold Nature to America

Facebook​ ​Twitter​ ​Instagram​

Love the show? Subscribe, ​rate, review, and share!​

Sign up for my Newsletter ​HERE​

I’d love to hear your feedback about the show!

You can contact me here: ​[e-mail]

If you write as much as I do, it’s nice to have a little backup with spelling and grammar, and I use Grammarly. Grammarly is a cloud-based typing assistant. It reviews spelling, punctuation, clarity, engagement, and delivery mistakes, detects plagiarism, and suggests replacements for the identified errors. It also allows users to customize their style, tone, and context-specific language.

Their instant grammar checker corrects all grammar errors and enhances your writing.

To try it out, go to ricksaez dot com slash grammarcheck and get signed up today. You can thank me later. That's Ricksaez dot com slash grammar check.

Show Notes

00:00 Shifted from outdoor pursuits to writing about them professionally.

04:46 Global scholars gather at Munich's Rachel Carson Center.

09:58 Early guidebooks promoted self-reliance in the outdoors, discouraging buying equipment and emphasizing the Woodcraft ethic of creating makeshift arrangements from natural materials.

11:15 Early white guidebook authors claim close Native American ties to validate their information sources. They emphasize their relationship with Native Americans as a way of asserting the authenticity of their knowledge. Their focus on white settlers' connections to the Native American past is reflected in the stories of native peoples being displaced from national parks in the early 20th century, which are recurrent themes in their publications.

15:35 Book delves into paradox of outdoor consumerism, exploring its history and impact on American attitudes towards nature.

18:23 Consumer identity linked to fancy cooking gadgets. Participation.

22:06 Outdoor industry leads in photography and sustainability.

24:56 Experts doubt Patagonia's sincerity in anti-consumerism ad.

29:14 "Ski Style" by Annie Gilbert Coleman is a recommended book that explores the culture and evolution of skiing in the 20th century. It provides insights into how skiing has become associated with specific social classes, economic accessibility, and the development of ski resorts and attire. The book encourages readers to critically evaluate the origins and evolution of this popular recreational activity.

32:21 Encouraging introspection on consumerism's values and influence. Reflecting on personal choices and societal impact.

33:46 Researcher finds value in personal stories for understanding.

Learn More

To learn more about Rachel and her work, visit her website at: https://rachel-gross.com/

You can also visit Rachel on these social sites:

Facebook

X

Next Steps

If you enjoy interviews devoted to the outdoor industry, find us online at ricksaez.com/listen. We welcome likes and comments, and if you know someone who is also an outdoor enthusiast, go ahead and share our site with them, too.

Keywords

#outdoor gear, #history of camping, #outdoor industry, #research, #cultural history, #environmental history, #environmental sustainability, #consumerism, #American outdoor identity, #consumer behavior, #product design, #sustainability initiatives

Podcast produced using Descript, CastMagic Podcast hosted by Libsyn use code 'outdoorbizpod' for 20% OFF Show Notes powered by Castmagic Website powered by Wordpress

Note: As an Affiliate of Amazon and others, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Welcome to a podcast dedicated to outdoor enthusiasts looking to elevate their outdoor careers while embracing the freedom and joy of outdoor adventure. We dive deep into outdoor recreation, adventure travel, and outdoor activities, helping you find the best outdoor jobs that fit your ideal outdoor life. Whether you're seeking career growth or just more time to get outdoors, we've got you covered.