Sheriff Frank Barnet of Alameda Co. CA invented this cunning pistol barrel extension cum nightstick. Didn’t catch on! (Popular Mechanics, March 1917)
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Snow Chopper
This early snowmobile looks very cozy. And scary at 25mph! (Popular Mechanics, April 1917)
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Flying Torpedo Tug
At first glance, this looks fine: a very small torpedo boat. Then the second half of the article reveals that the boat is actually a pontoon towed by an aircraft… (Popular Mechanics, July 1917)
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Ironman
Too heavy for infantry and awkward on uneven ground, these mobile personnel shields, designed by Col. Jean Baptiste Eugène Estienne (of FT-17 fame) were rarely used (Popular Mechanics, April 1917).
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Flying Car
The 1917 Curtiss Autoplane sported a 100HP engine and the wings of a Curtiss Model L Trainer. It was abandoned when the US entered the First World War in April. (Popular Mechanics, April 1917).
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Motomower
Possibly the first lawn tractor: a California motorcycle conversion! (Popular Mechanics, May 1917). Now, why don’t they make conversion kits like this?
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A Close Shave
Travelling salesman invents new way of heating water (Popular Mechanics, May 1917). Don’t try this at home, folks!
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Super Ray
“Simpson Ray” therapy seemed to enjoy a very short vogue (Popular Mechanics, May 1917).
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Flat Tires
The quest for substitutes for rubber tires began almost as soon as they were widely adopted. None caught on! (Popular Mechanics, June 1916).
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Tanked
This semi-tracked US armored vehicle was reportedly being tested near Los Angeles (Popular Mechanics, May 1917). It is an awkwardly high conversion of a Holt tractor, and had a tendency to either bog down or tip over!
