Category: Transportation

Whatever it takes to get to point A to point B… by air, rail, road or sea

Armored Car, 1933

On: By: Romeyn

An armored vehicle surrounded by Chicago cops.

Gun Ports Guard Police Autos (Modern Mechanix, April, 1934)

A GUN port, built into a bullet proof windshield, has been perfected by Carroll Smart, Dearborn, Mich., inventor, and is hailed as a great aid in battling crime.

An officer’s pistol or rifle can be inserted in this port and aimed in any direction desired. The glass is entirely bullet proof.

Thus, in pursuit of bandits, it is no longer necessary for an officer to remain a target by standing on a running board or reaching out from the safety windshield to fire.

Jungle Yachts, 1938

On: By: Romeyn

Attilio Gatti, an Italian, World War I army officer, author, film-maker and explorer first set out to explore Africa in 1924. By the time he set out for his “final expedition” in 1938 he had already led 9 previous expeditions, one of those resulting in the 1927 film Siliva the Zulu. It was because of these films, plus his adventure writings in magazines like the Saturday Evening Post that he was able to obtain financing to further his travels. Exploits if his 10th expedition were later published in 1945 as South of the Sahara. Continue reading “Jungle Yachts, 1938” →

Volkswagen Beetle’s Dark Past

On: By: Romeyn

In 1933 Adolf Hitler met with Ferdinand Porsche to discuss the development of a “Volks-Wagen” (“People Car”), a basic vehicle that should be capable of transporting two adults and three children at a speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), and which should cost no more than a 990 Richsmark (at an average income of 32RM/week).

Hitler’s original napkin sketch, 1932

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Orient Express, 1934

On: By: Romeyn

The Orient Express was a long-distance passenger train service created in 1883 that joined Western Europe with the Middle East.

Although the original Orient Express was simply a normal international railway service, the name became synonymous with intrigue, luxury & comfort when traveling was still rough and dangerous.

The 1930s saw the services of the Orient Express at its most popular, running three parallel services; The Simplon Orient Express, the Orient Express and the Arlberg Orient Express

It was during this time, the Orient Express acquired its reputation for comfort and luxury, carrying sleeping-cars with permanent service and restaurant cars known for the quality of their cuisine. Royalty, nobles, diplomats, business people patronized it, mingling with those of the middle class. Each of the Orient Express services, incorporating sleeping cars, extending the rail service from one edge of continental Europe to the other. The start of the Second World War in 1939 (again) interrupted the service, which did not resume until 1945.

In 1934, one of its passengers, Agatha Christie, wrote her novel Murder on the Orient Express, partly inspired by the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby (1932) and events on her trip in 1928-29 which left the train marooned in a snow bank for 6 days.

Continue reading “Orient Express, 1934” →