Author Topic: Whuzzat #8 - Hugo Gernsback and the Tesla roadster (Read 1291 times)

Ray B. · « **on:** October 16, 2009, 06:53:59 PM »

Who is he?

If you know, you'll win yourself a point. If you can link him to a precise car, another point.
The link is not a direct one, but you'll have more fun finding it.

Paul Jaray · « **Reply #1 on:** October 16, 2009, 06:58:46 PM »

A car dealer?

Ray B. · « **Reply #2 on:** October 16, 2009, 07:01:29 PM »

neilshouse · « **Reply #3 on:** October 16, 2009, 07:39:53 PM »

He is Hugo Gernsback, inventor and science fiction author wearing his TV glasses (were they 3D?).

I'm not sure what the car you are looking for, but he was connected to Packard, supplying them with the batteries he invented.

Ray B. · « **Reply #4 on:** October 17, 2009, 03:18:27 AM »

Gee, that was fast!

But the car I meant is not the Packard. Remember, the connection between him and the car is not a direct one. Meaning there is someone or something between them.
Locked for you 36 hours (after that I'll be unable to answer for a few days).

EDIT: I'll add that Gernsback couldn't have been aware of such a connection.

neilshouse · « **Reply #5 on:** October 17, 2009, 07:44:55 AM »

Is it an Oldsmobile 88?

Ray B. · « **Reply #6 on:** October 17, 2009, 07:52:38 AM »

I know I am a bit obsessed by Oldsmobiles, but no it isn't.

neilshouse · « **Reply #7 on:** October 18, 2009, 08:47:16 AM »

My Oldsmobile 88 guess was based on the fact that the 'Hugo' award for Science Fiction that was named after Hugo Gernsback was designed by Benedict Jablonski using the Olds hood ornament as his inspiration, this and the fact that I know you have an Oldsmobile obsession!
I have searched in vain for another indirect car connection, please unlock the puzzle so someone else can have a shot.

Ray B. · « **Reply #8 on:** October 18, 2009, 11:26:19 AM »

All right: open for all. Your Oldsmobile connection is quite humorous. The one I am after also. I checked again: it can be rather easily found.

Allemano · « **Reply #9 on:** October 18, 2009, 01:19:19 PM »

The Burney car by Streamline Cars Ltd. Designed by Sir Charles Dennistoun Burney in 1927?

Ray B. · « **Reply #10 on:** October 18, 2009, 03:07:13 PM »

I've seen that one too. But that's not it.

Ray B. · « **Reply #11 on:** October 24, 2009, 04:39:45 PM »

The answer is just inches to the right....

Ray B. · « **Reply #12 on:** February 16, 2010, 10:01:13 AM »

To the right of the picture, meant I.

Ray B. · « **Reply #13 on:** March 02, 2010, 08:02:32 AM »

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #14 on:** March 02, 2010, 08:23:03 AM »

Some relation to his "Tele-motor-coasters", which were supposed to be powered by broadcast waves?

Ray B. · « **Reply #15 on:** March 02, 2010, 08:37:27 AM »

No. remember (as I said above) this is not a direct connection, and he couldn't have been aware of it. Meaning that he was dead when that car was built.
Still this is a strong connection.

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #16 on:** March 02, 2010, 08:47:17 AM »

Quote from: Ray B. on March 02, 2010, 08:37:27 AM

No. remember (as I said above) this is not a direct connection, and he couldn't have been aware of it. Meaning that he was dead when that car was built.
Still this is a strong connection.

Indeed, if a car that was literally powered by radio waves was constructed, it would likely have been after his departure. I also had a hunch that "not a direct connection" referred to remote controlling radio waves, like his "tele-motor-coaster" and weed-whacker remote control battle robots.

But I was wrong.

Ray B. · « **Reply #17 on:** March 02, 2010, 09:11:48 AM »

I meant that he was strongly connected to someone who is strongly connected with this car (without having known it himself).

Ray B. · « **Reply #18 on:** March 02, 2010, 09:13:53 AM »

You may be on to something with those "broadcast waves".
I lock this for you 48 hours.

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #19 on:** March 02, 2010, 12:02:25 PM »

This is a long-shot, but here goes.

The first person to have a mobile phone in the United Kingdom was reputedly Prince Philip, who had a system fitted into the trunk of his Aston Martin in 1957.

Hugo Gernsback wrote of radio phones in automobiles in his pulp publications.

Ray B. · « **Reply #20 on:** March 02, 2010, 12:20:15 PM »

NO. The man you're looking for was a close friend of his.

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #21 on:** March 02, 2010, 12:44:15 PM »

E.R. Burroughs?

Ray B. · « **Reply #22 on:** March 02, 2010, 01:05:39 PM »

No (and I don't know with what car we could connect Burroughs).

Otto Puzzell · « **Reply #23 on:** March 02, 2010, 04:45:27 PM »

Tesla? and the car named after him?

Ray B. · « **Reply #24 on:** March 02, 2010, 05:31:01 PM »

Yes, Otto!
Gernsback commissioned a death mask of Tesla, which he kept at hand in his office.

One point for neilshouse and one for you.

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Author Topic: Whuzzat #8 - Hugo Gernsback and the Tesla roadster (Read 1291 times)