The Wave Disk Generator

Researchers at Michigan State University have built a prototype gasoline engine that requires no transmission, crankshaft, pistons, valves, fuel compression, cooling systems or fluids. Their so-called Wave Disk Generator could greatly improve the efficiency of gas-electric hybrid automobiles and potentially decrease auto emissions up to 90 percent when compared with conventional combustion engines.
via news.discovery.com

 

Some History of the Highway Hi-Fi and "The Forward Look"

Here is the story of how Dr. Goldmark invented the Highway Hi-Fi. He was the man who headed CBS Labs and also invented the 33-1/3 rpm Long-Playing (LP) record format.  

 "Chrysler was then preparing for its annual face-lifting-a model change-and they wanted to focus their advertising on a new development. Our machine was glamorous, novel, and it wouldn't add great expense to the cost of the car. The Chrysler people named it "Highway Hi-Fi" and designed it to fit under the dashboard with a two-way switch, one for radio and the other for records. We agreed that everything would be ready for the 1956 model. We made plans for a spectacular debut and a press showing.  

My wistful hope is still to bring back the past glories of the radio days, so that one can listen to drama, comedy, and stories on one's own portable talking machine, and by so doing remind people that their senses are not related only to the primitive visual ones utilized in TV viewing."   Dr. Goldmark  

read more via imperialclub.com

 

The Forward Look for Chrysler cars in 1956. 

The 1939 Pontiac Ghost Car, the World’s First Transparent Car

photos by Aaron Summerfield/RM Auctions

The 1939 Pontiac Plexiglass Deluxe “Ghost Car” is a one-off show car with custom plexiglass body panels. It was built for the 1939-40 New York World’s Fair as part of the Futurama exhibit, and at its debut was the world’s first transparent car. The car was recently sold by RM Auctions for an undisclosed sum (the pre-sale estimated value was $475,000).  

via laughingsquid.com