Flying cars have existed since 1949.

Science & Industry

T he 21st century has seen a lot of ideas that sound like the stuff of science fiction become reality, including self-driving cars, bionic limbs, and real-time language translation devices. But one futuristic invention straight out of The Jetsons actually existed before that classic sci-fi series even aired: flying cars. Decades earlier, engineers were already testing vehicles that could drive on roads and then take to the skies in minutes. So why didn’t they take off?

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By the Numbers

Cruise speed (in mph) of the Aerocar III

135

Year the last Aerocar was built

1968

Did you know?

Hopping cars have existed since 1917.

Before the Aerocar could fly, the Curtiss Autoplane had to hop. Developed by engineer Glenn Curtiss and billed as “an aerial limousine,” the Autoplane made its debut on display at the 1917 Pan-American Aeronautics Exhibition. When it came to actually testing the thing, however, it never achieved more than a few “hops” — briefly lifting off the ground for short periods, but not achieving sustained flight. Still, catching any air at all is pretty good for 1917.