Three Wheeler
Here is an early example of a three wheeled vehicle that makes sense. Most of the cars on the road seem to have just a driver aboard and could be easily replaced by light-weight vehicles. This could save enormous amounts of energy. The key to reduction of energy use in vehicle design is the weight and size of the vehicle.
Trailer With Single Wheel Carries Thousand Pounds – Jan 1934
This short news item describes a single-wheel car trailer.
Trailer With Single Wheel Carries Thousand Pounds (original article)
"Dream Auto" Produced In Full-Size Model – Jan 1934
This model looks similar to the VW bug. It might have been influenced Ferdinand Porsche’s original Kleinauto Type 32.
“Dream Auto” Produced In Full-Size Model (link to original)
Model-Airplane Builder
Here are some good ideas for the traditional model-airplane builders.
Ideas For Model-Airplane Builders (original article)
Recumbent Bicycle
As you can see from this story, recumbent bicycles are not a new phenomenon.
Bicycle With A Low Frame Is Easy To Propel (original article)
Foot-Driven Quadricycle
Here is an interesting design for an exercise quadricycle. It just might be enough inspiration for a modern version.
Foot-Driven Exercise Cycle Works Like Racing Shell (original article)
Dymaxion Car
This short article describes Dymaxion car designed by Buckminster Fuller and Starling Burgess.
Three-Wheel “Teardrop” Car Easy To Drive (original article)
Dymaxion Car (Wikipedia)
The Dymaxion is Back! (British Architect Brings Back Dymaxion)
Velodyne
This article describes an early French attempt to streamline a bicycle, named Velodyne No. 1.
Streamline Hood On Bicycle Increases Speed (original article)
Sailing Tricycle
Bob Hartley describes how to build your own sailing tricycle. The design might be improved by lower its center of gravity.
Lightweight, Collapsible Sailing Tricycle Rolls With Ease (original article)
Arup Airplane
This airplane was designed by Dr. C.L. Snyder, a podiatrist from South Bend, Indiana.
Plane With Semicircular Wing Can’t Tailspin (original article)
Early development of tailless aircraft in the United States (Century of Flight)
The flying “Heel Lift” – Arup S2 and S4 flying wings (Youtube)
