20 Mule Team .....what?

Here is a fascinating piece of mule history that has ascended to full trademark status. Today, the 20 Mule Team Borax trademarked logo is widely recognized, but probably holds an understated place in our collective consciousness. The legendary effort to get raw borax ore out of Death Valley by mule train ended in 1889, lasting just over five years. 120 years later, we still think of Borax when we think of 20 Mule Teams. How did you fill in the blank when you saw the title?

The story of the 20 mule team should hold particular fascination for the mule afficianado. Relating it all would be redundant, but there are some highlights worth mentioning here. The fascinating basics are thus:

Between 1883 and 1889, the twenty mule teams hauled more than 20 million pounds of borax out of Death Valley. The company didn't lose one mule or have one wagon break down during this time.

Each team pulled two wagons that held 10 tons each and a steel water tank behind for the consumption of the mules. The total gross weight each team pulled was 36 and 1/2 tons.

The round trip was 330 miles and went from nearly 200 feet below sea level to over 2,000 feet above. It covered some of the most unforgiving country in the world--over crude roads blasted into the desert.

"Swinging the team around a curve in a mountain pass tested both driver and team: one mistake could spell death for all. As the team started around a sharp curve, the chain tended to be pulled into a straight line between the lead mules and the wagon. To keep the chain going around the curve and not pull the team straight over the edge, some of the mules were ordered to leap the chain and pull at an angle away from the curve. These mules — the pointers, sixes and eights — would step along sideways until the corner had been turned. Swinging a curve successfully was an awesome demonstration of training and teamwork." Borax: The Twenty Mule Team.Published by U.S. Borax Inc.Undated (1980s-'90s)

"Chosen for their intelligence and ability to lead the others, the first two mules in the train were aptly called the "leaders." The next 10 mules were known as the "swing team," workers that did not need special training beyond responding to commands such as "stop" and "pull." Following the swing team came the "pointers," "sixes" and "eights" — the pairs specially trained to leap over the chain when the mule train turned a corner. These mules were trained to respond to commands by name. Finally, the "wheelers" were the last pair in the train. These mules, or sometimes draft horses, were the largest and strongest of the pack animals." Borax: The Twenty Mule Team.Published by U.S. Borax Inc.Undated (1980s-'90s)

Teamsters used whips made of rawhide that were 24 feel long. Some were reputed to be able to flick a mule's ear 25 feet away. Using the whip required two hands and full body input.

Check the links below for gripping historical reading. There you will find facts, legends, and some insights into the men who lived this job.

http://www.scvhistory.com/scvhistory/borax1799.htm Of myths and men

http://www.scvhistory.com/scvhistory/borax-20muleteam.htm Borax: 20 mule Team

http://www.desertusa.com/mag05/jul/borax.html Article by Joe Zentner