Photographic Memory: Low-rider in the desert

In 1948, drilling equipment like this 130 foot derrick often needed to be moved from one site to another. Instead of dismantling and rebuilding it each time, the whole thing was transported on giant dollies. The vehicles needed low-pressure tires in order to tow loads through the soft sand terrain of the desert. Here, near Abqaiq, there was no need to worry about obstructions like bridges, streams and power lines.

(Photo by Spencer Leonard)