The Antarctic Snow Cruiser

https://www.amusingplanet.com/2026/01/the-antarctic-snow-cruiser.html

by terryf • 6 months ago

29 6 6 months ago

mtct88• 6 months ago

The naivety behind this vehicle is really fun; you would expect that by 1934, there was enough experience with tires and snow to know that it could never work.

Yet, they still built it and delivered it to Antarctica. Only to fail there.

msl09• 6 months ago

At least I imagined they would at least test it on Alaska or some other snowy region of America, but I guess they were in a rush.

flurdy2• 6 months ago

It was built in Chicago. They could have just tested a bit North of Chicago. Wisconsin sees a fair amount of snow, and probably would not have needed to go all the way to Canada before the shortcomings were obvious.

comrade1234• 6 months ago

It was funded with private donations so I assume it was a grift with someone skimming off the top.

flurdy2• 6 months ago

Also that they only built one. I think most people with experince of trips in heavy snow conditions or any mountain trip know you go in at least pairs. 2 snowmobiles, 2 dog sleds, etc, so if one gets stuck, the other can help pull it out, or go get help. As you always get stuck.

hasperdi• 6 months ago

The YouTube channel Calum made a documentary about it https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zR0M7KjnJTE , Mustard did too https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pW0eZRoQ86g

The Antarctic Snow Cruiser

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