Means of Transport That Almost Changed the World - by Tom Velcovsky & Stepanka Sekaninova (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Ever wonder why we don't commute in flying cars, ride single-rail trains, or steer life-size remote-control vehicles?

Means of Transport That Almost Changed the World takes you on a fascinating journey through history's boldest and strangest transportation ideas that never quite made it. Packed with detailed illustrations and captivating stories, this book reveals the prototypes, dreams, and daring experiments that shaped innovation even when they failed.

Aimed at readers ages 12 and up, this beautifully illustrated book blends technology, history, and design to explore the inventions that almost revolutionized how we move. Each spread dives into the origins of these curious machines, why they were created, and what ultimately stopped them from changing the world.

From flying jeeps and vertical take-off planes to futuristic cars that stayed on the drawing board, this book celebrates human ingenuity and reminds us that progress often begins with failure.

• Unusual Vehicles & Forgotten Ideas: Discover incredible machines like the Hafner Rotabuggy (a WWII flying jeep) and the Conair XFY Pogo (a Cold War vertical take-off plane).


• Stunning Technical Illustrations: Realistic, detail-rich artwork by former design engineer Martin Sodomka brings each concept to life.


• Behind-the-Scenes Stories: Explore the surprising reasons these inventions failed, from political decisions and economic hurdles to engineering challenges and public skepticism.


• Engaging & Educational: Learn how social conditions, wars, and technological limits shaped these inventions and why they didn't succeed.


• Perfect Giftfor Young History Readers: A gorgeous hardcover book for curious minds, classrooms, libraries, and design enthusiasts.

For over 75 years, Albatros Media has been crafting original and innovative children's books that are both playful and educational, fostering curiosity and a thirst for knowledge in young minds. We deliver the highest quality children's books from novelty, picture, pop-up, and how-to books, to non-fiction, and fairy tale books.

Review Quotes

Selected for the CBC's 2023 July Hot Off The Press Reading List

"Grades 5-8 This upbeat, obviously well-researched work takes an unusual stance: what's interesting in transportation is what didn't make it--the "average, forgotten, useless, expensive, or insignificant." Vehicles are profiled in depth, including details of what inspired their creation, the history of their design, and why they failed. Well-written, engaging narratives are complemented by detailed drawings that show even small details--no surprise, as illustrator Sodomka is a former design engineer. Examples of the fascinating vehicles include the 1924 Junkers J100, a huge plane that could carry passengers in style for up to 10 hours, but didn't inspire traveler interest; the Hafner Rotabuggy, a flying jeep made for the British Air Force in WWII that took too long to work; and the Conair XFY Pogo, a Cold War plane that could take off and land vertically, but that was too uncomfortable. On show here, besides fascinating, scary, complex machines, is the ingenuity of inventors, the ways social conditions--especially conflict--set invention trends, and how failure can precede success. Though it lacks source notes, this marvelous book is ideal for browsing." --Booklist

"It seems like there is nothing new under the sun, especially if you have just had an Invention Convention project assigned to you, but this book shows definitely that there is no end to the number of weird and wonderful ways people have thought to improve the way that humans travel from place to place! Everything from an early Parisian moving walkway in 1900 (which we do see remnants of today!) to the 2005 Peugeot Moovie on the cover is examined and illustrated with lovely illustrations with a bit of a vintage vibe. There's just enough information about each vehicle's plusses and minuses that readers will be motivated to find out more about their favorites and maybe even design some vehicles of their own!" --Karen Yingling, YA Books Central

"Captivating illustrations really bring these inventions to life, often making readers wish the real versions could be glimpsed working in the real world. For example, a moving walkway, part of the Paris Exposition in the World's Fair, would have allowed visitors to tour the city while standing still. But it didn't come without detractors, people were afraid of the moving belt so it didn't last. But as we know, these days they can be found in department stores and airports in smaller versions." --Vicky Tandy, Athol Public Library

"This was an interesting book filled with the history of transportation. There are examples of experimental transporters from 1900 on. The examples cover cars, planes, and boats. The information covers some of the development and why the transport failed to create an impact. The authors also explain, when relevant, the historical context. There are illustrations of the transport and cross sections when needed. This is a good book for anyone who is interested in history or the various forms of transport. I enjoyed the book for the history that was included." --Morgan Frazier, Librarian

About the Author

Stepanka Sekaninova used to work as a TV reporter and in the production of children's programs. Now she is a writer and a editor-in-chief, living in the Czech Republic.

Martin Sodomka was born in 1968 and he studied at the Department of Industrial Design Management. His first job was as a design engineer. In 1993 he founded a graphics studio. In 2012 he published, at his own expense, How to Build a Car, the first book in the Technical Tales series; this book was inspired by his restoration of a classic car (1963 Skoda Octavia). This book became an immediate bestseller and was translated into ten languages. Martin Sodomka is married with two children.