Bohn’s ‘Visions of the Future’ Ads, 1940s

5 comments to Bohn’s ‘Visions of the Future’ Ads, 1940s

• qka

  December 29, 2011 at 5:10 am · Reply

  Streamlined fire engines? hasn’t happened yet.

• Larry

  December 29, 2011 at 5:44 am · Reply

  That see thru fridge with the rotating shelves is just like the vending machine at work. Either Bohn was really advanced, our our machine is ancient.

  • qka

    February 4, 2012 at 5:33 am · Reply

    Looks like what they still use in diners to display desserts.

• Jeff Blackwood

  December 29, 2011 at 1:53 pm · Reply

  Actually, qka, it did in the 40′/50′s. Take a look at this engine – http://www.carsbase.com/photo/photo_full.php?id=6047

  Or this one – http://www.firehouse651.com/gallery/Restored/1951_Bickle_Seagrave

  I think they were right on with some of their predictions. The speaker phone, the monorail (I took one in Shanghai that went 400km/hr), the airport that handles 25k passengers. Way to go Bohn! Too bad they’re not around to see these things.

  • qka

    February 4, 2012 at 5:31 am · Reply

    Not nearly as streamlined as the ad. The examples you show are fire trucks built on commercial chassises. Any other truck of their day would have had the same hood lines.

    Looking again at the ad, I see how ridiculously long it was – I shuddering just thinking about trying to turn corners with it, let alone maneuvering into a tight spot. Never mind trivial details like outriggers for supporting the ladder when it raised.