Review? Where Is My Flying Car?

I was having another look at it recently and left very happy I did so - there’s quite something about a story of tech & science potential, unapologetically optimistic, and greatly ambitious.

Towards the middle of the book (Goodreads) it does remind you of a Science Fiction novel, but not so much about distant planets and far future - instead right here on Earth, arguing on behalf of science that’s is available and not at all fictitious.

First surprise - for a good half of the book the author actually discusses flying cars. And again, not from the ‘We wanted flying cars, but got 140 characters’ quote (which is there too btw) perspective, but rather ‘Everyone should get one in their garage perspective’.

To my worldview - it was very fresh to see, very exciting too, as aviation is indeed something special to many people and to me.

Second surprise - how quick the author deals with initial (and pretty strong) skepticism around the topic. Cause again - from my context: jetpacks, weird-looking cars with wings and VTOL startups is something that raise an eyebrow, not interest (maybe SPACs in 2021 did some harm there too, who knows). Not in that timeline, however - one would see unexpectedly many examples of developments from the 30s, notes on practicality and costs, and pretty long discussions on fuel efficiency, ranges, etc. Pretty much anything but futuristic.

Third and last surprise that I’d mention here - how besides discussing technological history one could translate the ‘Pain’ that regulation causes. Towards the end of the book, author would guide us thoughts on many things besides the aviation - all as a progress outlook.

And as one of the central themes, ‘what if’ invitation - if we had personal air transport, free energy, better cities, etc. One of the claims which is quite bold - there’s an estimate that Federal regulation caused 2p.p yearly growth decrease (cited that article), and while seems trivial, it’s posited that since 1949 we might see it as difference of median household income of $53k today, vs. $185k that it might’ve been otherwise and that individual choice would hardly pick former.

We’d leave it at that - it’s very much an interesting overview on progress/decline studies with curious twist of flying car discussion.

Quite recommended.