As far back as 1954, the ABC television network was broadcasting a show called ‘Disneyland TV‘ later re-titled ‘The Wonderful World of Disney‘ an animated a weekly anthology. In 1958 it ran an episode called ‘Magic Highway, USA‘ which examined our automotive past, present and future.
Unlike the Tex Avery cartoons of the time ‘Magic Highway, USA‘ wasn’t for laughs. was a look at what was possible in motor vehicles in the not-too distant future. Watching the carton now, it is stunning to see how many predictions came true. Disney was right on target with GPS, self-driving cars and many other innovations so common today.
Speed, Safety and Comfort
Highway design looked dramatically futuristic, with elevated highways designed for greater speed. Disney predicted colour-coded highways with built-in radiant heating elements to keep the roads dry and free of snow and ice. To account for the higher travelling speeds, road signs will be larger and easier to read.
Initially, these renderings look like some retro-futurism from ‘The Jetsons‘ but looking at modern elevated roads like Hwy 407 in Toronto demonstrates that the principal was sound. By elevating the highway, rods do not need to follow the road. This can result is smoother curves, and a higher design speed.
Integrated Dashboard Panel
This prediction is a much more recent development in the automotive world. As ‘Magic Carpet USA‘ predicted, vehicles would be able to deliver onboard information updates about traffic conditions, and even safe travel speeds. This is identical to Google Maps found on the screen in your Subaru showing you the quickest route, and offering alternative routes if traffic jams up.
In ‘Magic Carpet USA‘ the low-tech rearview mirror has been replaced with a video monitor, fed images by a wide-angle camera mounted on the back of the vehicle. Again, identical to back-up cameras standard on all modern automobiles making parking easier and fender-bender free.
Synchronized Scanning Map
While the nuts and bolts look different, Disney predicted auto-pilot on passenger cars in 1958. In the video, the driver programs a destination via ‘push button selector’ or what we might call a keyboard. During the journey, a map is displayed on the dashboard to show progress on the route. Free of driving responsibilities, business conferences can be held on TV screens while on route. This is now called Level 5 full driving automation; that tech companies have been working on for years, combined with Zoom calls to the office while stuck in traffic.
Furthermore, longer journeys, like family vacations on Route 66, can be programmed in via punch card system. This was high technology in the era, and the prediction was that such systems would guide vehicles to our destinations, allowing passengers to enjoy the comforts of home while on the road. You know…like board games!
Automotive Design
The cars in ‘Magic Carpet USA‘ look like evolutions of ‘space-age’ design elements like tailfins and bubble tops that were so prevalent in the late 1950s. It’s interesting to note that nearly every car in the video has a tail number, much like aircraft do today. Mundane gas-powered engines are thrown on the trash heap of history. Disney predicted that cars will soon be gas-turbine powered, then powered by speedy jet engines, followed by inexhaustible atomic powered cars. Nothing says progress like a nuclear reactor under the hood of your Chevy!
While these powerplants may seem unrealistic by todays standards, so much progress in car engines has happened in the past 10 years with hybrid cars, and full plug-in electrics. These new fangled propulsion systems easily surpass gas engines in acceleration through their instant power.
“These giant arteries will link together all nations and help create a better understanding among the peoples of the world. The highway plays a vital role in the progress of civilization. It will be the ‘magic carpet’ to new hopes, new dreams, and a better way of life for the future.”
This uniquely North American vision of limitless potential is really inspiring. Long before the special interest groups began fighting against urban development, people in 1950s saw the road as a vehicle of progress.