3.) An invention you’d like to see created.
The invention of the automobile has always intrigued me.
And by “always” I mean just right now.
In theory the automobile is brilliant…take the human beings off the horses and put them on four wheels that move exponentially faster.
SMART.
Now…to make these light and functional we’re going to build them out of METAL and GLASS!!
And that’s where I kind of get tripped up.
Why are we wrapping ourselves in metal and accelerating our bodies at speeds going anywhere from 25 to 140+ miles an hour? Why are cars even built to go that fast when most highways post speed limits at 70mph? Shouldn’t cars be programmed to go no faster than that? Maybe 5 miles faster for those in a rush to beat holiday traffic to Grandma’s house? And yet they just get faster and faster.
As we continue to happily careen ourselves down highways wrapped in what can only be described as giant bullets and then crash our vehicles into guard rails, light posts, pedestrians, and other vehicles, the question begs to be asked…
Why not make cars out of rubber or some other non-life threatening material?
Why don’t we all just drive bumper cars?
Let’s ditch the metal and glass and adopt some good old fashioned FUN. You don’t hear of anyone dying in a bumper car crash. You could essentially take “fatal car accident” off ALL of our lists of things to worry about.
Furthermore, we’ve created bags of air to deploy and protect us inside the car, but why not outside the car? So that the moment vehicles A and B make contact they become wrapped in airbags to protect any further damage from nearby vehicles C, D, and E. This would also keep the passengers in vehicles C, D, and E safe, prevent them from becoming part of a giant pile up, AND allow them to beat holiday traffic to Grandma’s house.
How is the whole world not WINNING in bumper cars and outer air bags?
That would be my invention.
Happy travels my friends!
Leah aka FFPMaMMa says
Oh! Bumper cars would be so much fun, but I think I might get too distracted figuring out how to bump everyone instead of focusing on my driving. I would need some additional padding on the seats and back rest too.
Delilah says
There’s been a few drivers lately that I’d have loved to have “bumped” off the side of the road. I restrained myself. Barely.
Bruna says
If we all drove bumper cars, we’d all be purposefully bumping into each other because that’s what makes bumper cars SO fun! I think you need to think this through a bit more :P
Kasey says
I never thought about a car as a giant bullet but you’re right! It does seem kind of crazy! Although, I think bumper cars would make it take way too long to get to your destination… we would all be having too much fun! Then again, maybe we all need to take our time and have some fun driving!
jane@flightplatformliving says
i would adore that! and limit cars to 70mph genius!!! free candyfloss at garages as well and every car island in the format of a carousel! xx
Linda says
I think you have nailed it! Perfect solution…I love bumper cars…and perhaps we would enjoy the trip more!
Not a Perfect Mom says
but then I could intentionally take out the people that can’t drive, right? Just a nice gentle bash into their back to let them know they can’t be an a hole on the road…
tracy@sellabitmum says
Oh I love this idea…but can mine go 85?
dumb mom says
Yes, bumper cars would rock. Because, remember when you were a teenager, and the boys would get in and ram the crap outta your car and you’d get all mad, but would laugh and try to play it off like it didn’t hurt even though it totally did? I would probably enjoy doing that to other cars in the car rider/school drop off line. I’ve never been more frustrated in my vehicle then I am in that line.
Dionne says
I agree that bumper cars are so the way to go. There would have to be a rule that one must constrain oneself in the temptation to ram someone for fun or because they are going too slow. Think of how much we would save on our car insurance???
Jamie says
This reminds me of my 11-year-old daughter. She wants one of those cars from the Raceway at Disney. She’s convince she could tool around town in one of those.
Jen says
Good idea but only if these bumper cars could come with head gear… you know so that there would be no whiplash.
Angel says
Well the cars actually MADE of metal usually don’t get damaged as much in accidents. Because the metal does a pretty good job of absorbing the blows. It’s the thin weight cars that are mainly fiberglass bodies that are dangerous. Think Corvette.
Susi says
Sounds like a great idea to me. Wonder if someone will pick up on it??? :)
Dead Cow Girl says
I am afraid if I were to have a bumper car, I would be a little too tempted to give the jerk in front of me a little nudge.
Dead Cow Girl says
I am a nice person. Really I am. Except when the person in front of me is pissing me off.
Jennifer says
And? Bumper cars are tons o’ fun!
Raine says
good call! though i was never much of a fan of bumper cars when i was young. i didnt even like getting in safe crashes :)
Krista says
Excellent idea, bumper cars and external air bags for everyone. I agree, who was the genius that thought metal + glass + high speed = safety ?
So, when are you making your presentation in Detroit?
Patrice P says
I would love to have a bumper car just so I could run into some of those crazy drivers out there!
Melissa says
I’ve often wondered the same thing about cars. I think driving bumper cars is a fabulous idea. And everyone could have whatever color they wanted instead of everyone racing to get to the shiny blue one first. :)
Dora says
I think it’s hilarious how so many people are commenting about how they would use the bumper cars to bump the crazy drivers off the road. I wonder how many of those “crazy” drivers think we are the crazy ones and would be gunning to bump us of the road.
Jenn says
I guess I’m the only one who doesn’t like the bumper cars (I always crawl off with a bad headache….). However, I do like the idea of the outside padding….maybe giant inflatable raft-like construction…or hovercrafts.
There we go. Screw the roads. I’m flying a foot off the ground, so I can avoid all the frigging potholes in the roads here because they’ve forgotten us out here in the Welsh boonies.