American Objects The Pickup Truck

Pickup trucks were made for work. Until the first purpose-built ones rolled off American assembly lines in the early 20th century, people DIY-ed their own. They became icons of a rural ideal, potent enough to inspire a country song. Today, they are mainstays on American roadways. While they’re still used to haul things, some are more luxury than workhorse. In Illinois farm country, one family is restoring a 70-year-old International Harvester pickup that used to power their family farm. In the beginning, it had no sentimental value as it’s worth was tied to its usefulness. But today, it's the centerpiece of an intergenerational project that's become a way to share childhood memories and spend time together.