Friday, August 2, 2024

Good morning, and welcome back to Wolmania. We’ve got a whole lot of what you’d expect this week. I hope you like it.

Item 1: a link

The Verge is on a roll lately with its retrospectives of tech prototypes. This story, pegged to Pininfarina’s recent restoration of Honda’s 1984 HP-X concept car, has a bunch of good photos and a summary of the future they took from us (why doesn’t my car have removable fighter jet canopy???):

As a car born in the Knight Rider era, the HP-X placed advanced tech within the driver’s reach, including a CD player, GPS, real-time telemetry, and “special sonar” technology that warns you about road conditions. At the time, Honda called this tech suite its “electronic driver support system.”

The HP-X was designed to run on a Honda F2 racing-based engine: a 2.0-liter DOHC 24-valve V6. And since there are no doors, the clear Perspex canopy comes off, so you can jump in like a fighter jet pilot. The canopy also helps with looks, aerodynamics, and functions as an air brake. The design likely inspired future two-seater vehicles such as the Honda and Acura NSX.

I’m also interested in the Space-Hub, one of Honda‘s 2024 concepts:

Item 2: a list

McDonald’s Sweets & Treats, ranked:

1. Hot Caramel Sundae
2. Vanilla Cone
3. McFlurry® with OREO® Cookies
4. Baked Apple Pie
5. Vanilla Shake
6. Hot Fudge Sundae
7. Chocolate Shake
8. Strawberry Shake
9. KIT KAT® Banana Split McFlurry® (limited time only)
10. McFlurry® with M&M’S® Candies

Item 3: a media recommendation

50 minutes about the rise (just the rise - it never fell!) of second wave ska in Britain, featuring a bunch of amazing interviews and archival footage. 10/10 porkpie hats.

Item 4: word of the week

Fulgurant

Dr. Fleming’s assistant cowered in the corner, gawping at the misshapen cadaver on the concrete slab. The tesla coil lit up the lab like a thousand flashbulbs, the arcane instruments casting strange shadows on the wall in its fulgurant beam. The body’s eyelids, long dormant, twitched with each clap of thunder. Dr. Fleming smiled. The United States’ new Judo champion would be ready for the next Olympic Games.

Item 5: a photograph

See ya!

Thank you for your time and attention. Have a nice weekend. See you next time.