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+--- Thread: Transportation revolutions that petered out or never really started (/thread-12440.html)
Transportation revolutions that petered out or never really started - Kornee - Jun 20, 2022
The rise and fall of Britain's 1960s hovercraft revolution:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnJLT8wFyhY
Brilliant idea tanked owing to unforeseen practical failings, weather included. And alternate competition, then extant and looming, with reduced overall costs.
Hovertrain 1970s craze that went nowhere, then maglev that is national prestige niche in impact.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUXEFj0t7Ek
Similar story to the hovercraft. Improving existing infrastructure won out over technological revolution.
Amusing that the last bit suggesting evacuated tube super-fast 'rail', generically termed hyperloop, might fare better has since proven to be very problematic with doubtful prospects tool:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/elon-musk-hyperloop-dreams-slam-into-cold-hard-reality
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperloop#Criticism_and_human_factor_considerations
It's possible the future may witness versions of such schemes that become practical successes, but the conventional competition is a moving target that steadily improves.
Venture capital risky tech investment is - risky business.