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The Flying Automobile

The Flying Automobile: A Technological Forecast

Perhaps the simplest definition of the term "technology" is just "applied science." Technology tends to relate more to practical experience rather than scientific theory. A technological forecast, therefore, involves making predictions about future machines, procedures, etc. A variety of methods exist which can be applied towards this end. These include techniques such as the use of scenarios, science fiction, extrapolation, intuition, Delphi forecasting, substitution, and historical analogy. Paul Moller employs some of these methods when he describes the potential of his innovative vehicle, the "volantor." His sales pitch is very strong. Regardless though, the concept of a "flying car" has been around for a long time. Moreover, Paul Moller and his ideas seem to relate more to the past than the future. He speaks from an era of economic expansion and relative prosperity; a time when even people on the fringes of aerospace had a reasonable hope of receiving government funding. Obviously, the world has changed. In the current economic environment of government costcutting and corporate downsizing, it is doubtful that speculative ventures such as the "flying car" will have much hope of survival.

It is nearly impossible to separate ideas with true potential from those that are flawed (5:71). The dream of the flying car has been with us for as long as the car and the airplane themselves (11:95). In fact, as far back as 2200 B.C., people were dreaming of "flying vehicles (11:95)." Four millenia ago, mythologists described a threehorse drawn chariot which bore the Chinese Emperor Shun towards the heavens (11:95).

Such imaginary tales also have their counterparts in more recent times. In 1670, Francisco de Lana designed a "flying ship" that was to be raised off the water by four "vacuum spheres (11:95)." Then, in 1772, the French advanced beyond the design stage (1...

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The Flying Automobile. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 13:28, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1692835.html