It might have been before WW2, during or after even, but at some point in recent history the individual and his (or her) automobile became gods to be served, at least in the minds of many individuals, corporations and governments.
["Some designs from the past cannot be improved, while others can."]
It might have happened right after Henry Ford sold his 1,000th flivver and heard a smiling individual say, “I’m outta here. All I need is a highway.”
Someone overheard and the production of tarmac went into overdrive and the rest is history.
Today, if you want to drive to the end of the four corners of North America you can get there on super highways, if not Super Highways, and eat warm cheeseburgers all the way without even stopping - except for gas and bathroom breaks. [And not even bathroom breaks if you really mean business.]
Corporations and governments have spared no expense in recent history to accommodate the wishes of the individual car driver in almost every hamlet, village, town, small city or large city in most parts of the world.
["As individual needs were served, common or community needs were lost."]
One lane paths have been turned into two-lane marvels of tarmac (Thank God for bitumen and the petroleum industry!!). Two-lanes widened to three, three to four to accommodate more parking, four to six, six to eight and eight to sixteen, to accommodate even more parking and travel in all directions at the same time by vehicles that have grown to the size of small homes.
[For those who believe that more and wider roads will ease congestion - think again. “More roads will only create more cars.” - Jane Jacobs]
In my opinion, we have satisfied our individual transportation requirements in an excessive manner, eve to the highest order of extreme (700HP Corvette, anyone, anyone?).
We now live in a time when individuals believe it is their inalienable right to drive anywhere, anytime, to pick up any item required, by themselves in a car built for six (let’s say I feel like a two-scoop ice cream cone from the Merla-Mae on the other side of town - I’m gone), and at the same time believe there are no negative consequences to that type of thinking or behaviour. It’s all good.
["30 HP might be all you need to get ice cream, for you and a pal."]
Well, it’s not all good, and Premier McGuinty’s $10,000 rebate on an electric or hybrid car doesn’t correct the main ongoing problems related to the individual’s love for the once (and always?) mighty auto, and the continued accommodations made on its behalf.
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Yup, there’s more to follow.
Have you seen pictures of electric trolleys that once ran through your city streets?
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