April 24: Jacob Murdock’s transcontinental journey in a Packard commenced on this date in 1908

One hundred and five years ago today, Jacob M. Murdock packed his family into a 1908 Packard "Thirty" touring car and left Los Angeles. Keep in mind this was before Interstate highways (or paved roads, for that matter). On May 26, Murdock and Co. arrived in New York City, setting a transcontinental record for the longest continuous run of a single car and driver -- just over 32 days in all, although they did rest for five Sundays during the expedition. The fascinating tale of their journey, which Packard published as a book titled "A Family Tour from Ocean to Ocean," ends with this passage: