Popular Mechanics produced short films in the 1940s and 50s that showcased technology of the near and distant future. This short was released theatrically on May 21, 1948 and featured "streamlined marvels on wheels." The narrator cheerfully proclaims of the second car (pictured above), "If you're looking for a 1960 model, this may well be it!"

Clip from the Popular Science Historic Film Series DVD.

Previously on Paleo-Future:

• Dymaxion "Car of the Future" (1934)
• Personal Helicopter (1943)
• Gyroscopic Rocket Car (1945)
• Bubble-top Car (1948)

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)

My friend Andy, an Unsolved Mysteries nerd of the highest order, introduced me to an episode of the series which looked at the Dale; an economical three-wheeled car of the future. The Dale was to be produced in the mid-1970s by the not-quite-futuristically-named Twentieth Century Motor Car Corporation, and bore some resemblance to the General Motors three-wheeled concept car (in reverse) from 1964. 

"We went to the research and development lab and observed what appeared to be people appearing to be busy but in wandering through the lab I saw no evidence that they were designing a vehicle or were in the process of making a vehicle." 

Previously on Paleo-Future: 

• General Motors Three-Wheeled Runabout (1966)
• GM's Shopping Cart Car (1964)
• Inventors Die Testing "Flying Ford Pinto" (1973)
• 100 Miles Per Gallon! (1992)

Imagine a Hypercolor t-shirt. Now, instead of a t-shirt, imagine a car. And instead of a lame 90's fashion fad, imagine a lame 90's automotive fad.

The September 21, 1958 edition of Arthur Radebaugh's Closer Than We Think illustrated just such a possible fad. I mean... innovation.

 The automobile industry is studying a new kind of specially sensitive car body finish whose color can be changed at will. An electromagnetic gun would emit rays that would instantly "repaint" the car in any desired hue or combination -- perhaps to harmonize with milady's new fall outfit.

D. S. Harder, retired executive vice-president at Ford, recently described research in this direction. He added that this new kind of "photosensitive" surface would also be self-cleaning -- with the silent energy of static electricity or a supersonic vibrator driving off all dust and dirt.

 

Previously on Paleo-Future:

• Disney's Magic Highway, U.S.A. (1958)
• Closer Than We Think (1958-1963)
• Chrysler VP Predicts Solar-Powered Cars (1958)
• Cars Detroit Forgot To Build, 1950-1960
• Flying Family Car (1958)
• GM Car of the Future (1962)

The November 30, 1958 edition of This Week magazine ran this illustration of the flying family car. The image accompanied a larger piece about Army vehicles of the future. Best thing about the article? It promised that this flying car could be a reality within two years.

Previously on Paleo-Future:

• The Future of the Helicopter (1955)
• Shopper Hoppers (1959)
• "Aerocar" Hits the Road (1950)
• Automobiles Without Wheels (1958)

The March 10, 1918 Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA) ran this illustration of the motor car of the future. If so inclined, one can read the entire article here. But let's face it, you're just here for the pretty pictures.

The new car will be all glass-enclosed and controlled entirely by a set of push buttons. It will have no clutch, gears or transmission, will sit low, have small clearance and punctureless tires.

Previously on Paleo-Future:

• Oil and Gas Will Eventually be Exhausted (1909)
• City of the Future Postcards (circa 1910)
• Edison Battery Solves Old Problems (1909)
• Aerial Mono-Flyer of the Future (1918)

Remember a few months back when I made a joke about how dangerous a flying Ford Pinto would be? Well, in 1973 two inventors actually tried to create such a flying vehicle, and died while testing it. The article from the September 12, 1973 Press-Telegram (Long Beach, CA) is below.

Known as "the flying Pinto," a combination of a Ford Pinto auto and Cessna airplane, the prototype plunged to earth about a mile from Ventura County Airport late Tuesday afternoon.

Killed were Henry A. Smolinski, 40, Santa Susana, and Harold Blake, 40, Los Angeles. They were the founders and top two officers of Advanced Vehicle Engineers, launched at Van Nuys in 1968.

Previously on Paleo-Future:

• The Inevitable Flying Car (USA Today)
• "Aerocar" Hits the Road (1950)
• The Future of the Helicopter (1955)