Gideon Bible becomes a symbol of American roadside culture

For over a century, Gideon Bibles have been a staple in American hotel and motel rooms, serving as a symbol of the nation’s roadside culture and Protestant traditions. The practice originated with Gideons International, an organization of evangelical professionals founded in 1899. Following a suggestion from a hotel owner in Superior, Montana, in 1908, the group began placing Bibles in individual guest rooms.

Since that time, Gideons International has distributed more than 2.5 billion Bibles worldwide. Beyond hospitality settings, these Bibles have been provided in hospitals, prisons, military bases, and even the White House. In 1971, the organization presented its 100 millionth Bible to President Richard Nixon.

The phenomenon is deeply embedded in American pop culture, famously referenced in The Beatles’ song ‘Rocky Raccoon.’ Experts note that the distribution of these Bibles mirrors the rise of American motoring culture and the movement of people across the country.