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Train of the Future, As Seen in 1932
By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 11, 2008
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Jan 11, 2008
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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The other day we visited the past's future by looking at the aero-tropolis, now let's see what how the future of mass transit was envisioned back in the day. The future, straphangers, is all about endless belt trains! Modern Mechanix takes a look at the November 1932 debut of the vision:
Transporation of city inhabitants through subway or overhead tubes on endlessly moving belts, providing more speed and comfort than our present systems of passenger service, loom as a possibility, according to Norman W. Storer, engineer of the Westinghouse Electrical Co., who has developed the idea.
As described by Mr. Storer, the system is an arrangement of continuous trains or belts of cars, running on parallel tracks. There is a stationary loading platform along the entire course of the system.
On top of all that, city inhabitants, the train would stop every 50 seconds, for 10 seconds, signaled by a gong sound (of course).When the doors close, another signal announces another set of gates opening "for a second platform, or express (traveling at 22mph), on which the passenger takes the major part of his trip." They also promised "all elements being so timed that there can be no hitches." All aboard? [via Boing Boing]
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Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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