Ken Kesey’s ‘Furthur’ Bus Embarks on New Journey After Decades in Storage
Ken Kesey's iconic 'Furthur' bus returns to the road after 50 years, inspiring new generations with its countercultural legacy.
POLICY WIRE — San Francisco, United States — A 37-foot-long 1939 International Harvester school bus, known as ‘Furthur,’ has re-emerged from decades of neglect to embark on a new journey. Once a symbol of rebellion and creativity, the rusted and weathered vehicle now serves as the centerpiece of an exhibit celebrating the cultural shift it helped ignite.
Curator Kelly Harris of the Haight Street Art Center describes the bus as more than just a relic—it is a call to action. ‘It reminds us to never stop creating, never stop exploring, and keep pushing further,’ she said. The exhibit, titled ‘Forever Grateful,’ honors the countercultural movement that followed in Furthur’s wake.
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Ken Kesey, the author behind the bus, was a key figure in the 1960s psychedelic movement. His 1962 novel, ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,’ was influenced by his experiences with LSD, which was legal at the time. In 1964, Kesey and his group, the Merry Pranksters, embarked on a cross-country trip aboard Furthur, documenting their journey in color film—an early form of reality TV. Despite the emotional toll some participants faced, the trip became a symbol of freedom and change.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
