Parallel parking is a method of parking a vehicle parallel to the road in line with other parked vehicles. It usually requires initially driving slightly past the parking space, parallel to the parked vehicle in front of that space, keeping a safe distance, then followed by reversing into that space. Subsequent position adjustment may require the use of forward and reverse gears.
It is considered to be one of the hardest skills for new drivers to learn and is a required part of most road tests. Parallel parking enables the driver to park a vehicle in a smaller space than would be true of forward parking.
This gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “go for a spin.” In the clip from the British Pathé film archive, you’ll see a genius invention that makes parallel parking a piece of cake.
In 1927, this vehicle in Paris was equipped with pivoting wheels that allowed the car to move sideways, and turn 360 degrees!
The idea presented in 1927 has resurfaced!
There is an electric car with all four wheels that wheels turn 90 degrees sideways to help the driver parallel park. It’s a first of its kind, and is a joint project between engineers in New Zealand and China.
The car is expected to sell for around $10,000, not including the battery.
I would have to disagree slightly. It may be the first electric car of its kind. However, the 1927 vehicle that appeared in Paris that was equipped with pivoting wheels was the first of its kind.
What do you think of cars having wheels that rotate 90 degrees to help the driver parallel park? Would you use it? Use the comments section below and share your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you!
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