Lightning Bug Car Is Crash Proof (Aug, 1936)
Lightning Bug Car Is Crash Proof
DR. CALVIN BLACKMAN BRIDGES, the Carnegie Institution of Washington geneticist, knows a lot about bugs, for he breeds them and studies their mechanism under the microscope. But his hobby is Safety First and car building. His three-wheeled “Lightning Bug” is said to be crash and carbon-monoxide proof. It is small and squatty yet perfectly streamlined, with tail-light and license plates recessed and the Pyralin windows flush with the body. The doctor’s aim is to demonstrate what can be done to attain small car safety and readability.
I don’t usually think of a 3-wheeler as a “safety” design. Also, it’s interesting how many early streamliners dispensed with a rear window.
I wonder if this is rear-engined, or an early example of a hatchback.
Comment by nlpnt — March 22, 2008 @ 6:24 pm
And the car is “crash proof” because…?
Comment by rsterling78 — May 11, 2008 @ 8:11 pm
the article was published in Aug, 1936? And he car has not been built yet? or is there a “Bug” being built goday?
Comment by Paul Price — June 1, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
Wow,
They are everywhere…
3 wheeled vehicles are just safe or more so as 4 wheeled vehicles.
No?
Read. Do the math, etc…
The only reason, in my opinion, that 4 wheels has become more popular these days is due to money spent on matketing.
Also there is the so called “herd mentality”
Lastly, these 4 wheeled cars look like wagons. Remeber coach builders first started as wagon builders.
Reach out, stretch, transcend the “norm”…
Best,
dww
Comment by David W. Wilson — August 4, 2011 @ 10:16 am