Buckminster Fuller is remembered as the inventor of the geodesic dome, but he also invented a unique automobile, called the Dymaxion Car. The Dymaxion was a three wheeler, with the rear wheel doing the steering. Because of the rear wheel steering, it could do a U turn in its own length. Unfortunately, its length was 20 feet. It was a real torpedo of a car, seating 11 people, and capable of doing 120 miles per hour on the freeway. It weighed less than 1000 pounds, and got 30-50 mpg. Invented in 1933, it was completely revolutionary. I have a personal connection with the Dymaxion car, as Fuller lived in Wichita Kansas when he built it, where my uncle lived. Fuller started parking it in my uncle's unused garage, until my uncle asked for a parking fee. After that, he parked it somewhere else.
It’s great that more people are focusing on making better environmental choices. Plus technology is making it more economical now, and that’s what people really notice. Wind energy, solar power, hybrids and zap EV’s, our choices are good. There are now electric cars being sold everyday, you just plug it into a regular power outlet. When people test drive them they say it’s far more fun to drive an EV.
Posted by: Web | March 24, 2008 at 05:47 PM