Rugged Individualism

Herbert Hoover, POTUS 1923-33

As suspected, the term "rugged individualism" is not unique to the play.

We first hear the term used by the 1st Lineman in the opening moments of The Petrified Forest and, again, later on the play, to describe Alan Squier and Duke Mantee -- the last two apostles of rugged individualism.

Rugged individualism is a term coined by Herbert Hoover that describes a libertarian economic and political philosophy, even in times of economic depression. President Hoover felt that "rugged individualism" would be the best way for the Great Depression to end and that the government shouldn't intervene with social and economic programs or policies.