In 1927, we didn't have global positioning systems or micro LCD displays. But we did have the Plus Four Wristlet Route Indicator. A map that fit on your wrist, a driver could turn the knobs to scroll up their route in a manner far more dignifying than the giant-map-fold-curse-refold maneuver.
While a bit smaller than the average map, when the driver exceeded the map's limitations, they could simply swap it out for another and continue on their journey. Coming with 20 maps, the Wristlet Route Indicator ran £5 in 1927. With inflation, that number is the equivalent to about £50. Compared to the average cost of a GPS receiver today, that price doesn't sound all that bad, especially because the device is about 100 times more charming than the "turn LEFT in FIFTY feet" lady. [DailyMail via GizmoWatch]












Comments
Or you could, you know, just pull over and ASK for directions. But not if youre a man, since that appears to break some long standing man-rule. Look at Moses, 40 years wandering, and no one thought to just ASK which way to go.
I used basically the same thing (I made myself) to cheat in math exams at school....
COOL !
:)
@aec007: yeah a "low tech" cheat sheet!
@Curves: if you're a man - you are NEVER lost - just nearly there - or the girl gave us wrong directions.
Wonder how this works if a gay couple gets lost?
Personally, I'm waiting for the steampunk version of this.
Fortunately, they did away with this design after realizing that it could hazardously distract drivers.
Thank god we dodged that bullet...
Is it available for left wrists?
Just don't make a left turn or you're screwed.
@flyboy: ROFL!
@Curves: Men don't get lost; we just prefer the more scenic route.
@ps61318: Actually, it is steampunk, only without having to fake it.
This is much easier than the predecessor to this, which was a stone tablet strapped the wrist.
@bosskev: I prefer to call it temporally misplaced.
this would still make a great 'to do' list gadget for serious nerds
@DeadWriter:
correct - with ten sentances on them
@bosskev: Wait a second, you mean all that steampunk stuff is FAKE? I am horrified, HORRIFIED, I say.
What did Victorian children play with, if there were no steampunk Nerf guns or Legos? Huh? How about that, smart guy?
Fake. Well I never.
@mildretard: That is the left wrist. He just has very big forearms, skinny hands with funny plaid gloves.
@flyboy: You want the inside scoop? Two gay guys + one car + zero maps = always fashionably late (never tardy). While we probably have the fanciest GPS unit, we don't have the slightest idea how to use the damn thing (and don't care since it's just for show anyway). And in any case, so that we can never be considered unfashionably late, we've developed our own time zone, GST, which defines whatever time we arrive as being the perfect time to have arrived.
If you squeeze those bulbs it launches hot sauce into the face of your victims!
Real men know that where ever we go there we are.
@bosskev: That was...totally and truly excellent.
Ah, I love learning about other cultures. It's one of the main reasons I come here.
@bosskev: me too I love learning about these cultures.
Its just turning up late - like in your own time - they're gonna be wondering why you're late?
@Geisrud: It took me about 30 seconds to get my brain to see that, but it was worth it.
@Geisrud: Sitting in my office chair, stairing at the screen, i finally see it, and i lol-ed. I think my co-workers think i'm crazy.
@bosskev: My goodness. Who would have thought that my late mother (in every sense of the word) was actually fashionably gay. :)
@Geisrud: serious observation Geisrud.
You obviously don't have 'Purdy' calling you darling on your TomTom!!!! (it's a free download!)
you can have something like that connected to a gear box with the correct gearing ratio to your car's engine so it winds by itself.
Looks like Denis Jenkinson may have heisted this idea for his 1955 Mille Miglia victory...
[www.motortrend.com]
Start a discussion:
Login with your username and password below. Or comment on this post via email.
Forgot your username or password? New User?