Flying Automobile of the Near Future (1924)
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 5:36AM ;)
It seems Eddie Rickenbacker's passion for futurism started early. A of couple weeks ago we looked at his excitement over the prospect of post-WWII frozen dinners, plastic skyscrapers, and the wireless transmission of electricity. But as early as 1924 Rickenbacker predicted that the flying automobile -- complete with folding wings -- would soon take to the air.
This article is from the November 23, 1924 Zanesville Times Signal (Zanesville, OH).
Imagine the convenience of being able to drive around in the city, as is done nowadays, and then when you start for some other town and get on a straight of way or enter a nearby pasture, to unfold the wings on the machine and take to the air! It will mean quicker transportation for the suburbanite, for people living at a distance from a large city, and for traveling salesman, who now uses the motor car and highways to cover his territory.
1924 Nov 23 Zanesville Times Signal - Zanesville OH Paleo Future
Previously on Paleo-Future:
- Latest Type of Flying Machine (1901)
- Collier's Illustrated Future of 2001 (1901)
- Future Plane Travel (1920)
- Gernsback Imagines Life 50 Years Hence (1925)
- The Family Plane of 2030 (1930)
- Personal Helicopter (1943)
- "Aerocar" Hits the Road (1950)
Reader Comments (4)
It cites a Popular Science article which is online, from page 30 of the July 1924 issue.
Yes the day is very near, some automobile companies had already started selling such vehicles where only one man can site and fly himself to any place in city, but now the issue is about the license for flying :)
Yes, I feel the scene from the movie "Star Wars" can be seen live in front of our eyes. I have seen one of such car in a town of the U.S where the person had modified his car with wings. I think I should start learning to fly.
I will try to convert my used pickup trucks to a flying machine. What you think guys.