The Ford Nucleon

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThis hall inducts a car with a nuclear reactor in the trunk: the Ford Nucleon, from nineteen fifty-seven.

2. 

   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorFord called it an advanced notion of the automotive future. I have heard braver phrases, mostly from embassies I was asked to leave.

3. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentA reactor. In the trunk. Where I keep my skateboard and a gym bag.

4. 

   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIt would run five thousand miles before the reactor had to be exchanged for a new one, per Wikipedia.

5. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentFive thousand miles. That's a subscription. Cancel anytime, or glow.

6. 

   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorGas stations would become full service recharging stations. Owners could pick a fuel-efficient reactor or a high-performance one.

7. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentEconomy or high-performance. That's the worst dropdown menu in history.

8. 

   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentAnd the unboxing video is just a guy in a lead apron crying.

9. 

   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe flaw was physical. A vehicle reactor would still need about five feet of shielding.

10. 

    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentFive feet?

11. 

    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorReactors never got small or light enough. So the Nucleon only ever existed as a scale model.

12. 

    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo the only owner was a tiny plastic guy. Zero followers, zero reviews.

13. 

    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe mock-up rests at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. It is hereby inducted.

14. 

    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentWhere would the passengers even sit?

15. 

    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe passengers were never the point. The optimism was.