Modern Mechanix Round-Up

Today on Modern Mechanix we looked at a very odd paddle wheel plane and an belt-driven transport system that makes the city of the future look like a Disney ride. Do you remember when LA Gear stormed the market with their light up shoes? Turns out they were only 60 years late to the party. Around the same time the women of Los Angeles risked life and limb in the new sport of mini-car racing. In 1952  Western Union premiered the Telecar, which allowed them to deliver telegrams via a car mounted fax machine. Lastly we learned about all of the intricate mechanisms necessary put on a stunning planetarium light show in the 1946 article "Machines that 'Destroy' the Earth.

[#1 posted by dculberson , January 10, 2008 12:26 PM]

The paddle wheel plane looks like it might end up with some materials wear issues either on the underside of the wing or with the paddles themselves. Neat design, though. Definitely different thinking.

[#2 posted by Tomble , January 13, 2008 1:17 PM]

There is a modern version of the aircraft above at http://www.fanwing.com/

So, it's not a dead concept!