10 YEARS AGO — 2002
Clean commuting: The New York Power Authority is teaming up with Ford Motor Co. to give metropolitan commuters a clean transportation alternative. The “NYPA/Think Clean Commute” program aims to reduce air pollution and traffic congestion.
Ford is leasing the Think City electric vehicle (EV) to commuters in Westchester, Queens, Putnam, Nassau, Suffolk, and Rockland counties for $199 monthly. Participants can charge up at commuter train stations while they’re at work or install chargers at their homes.
Think City EV is a two-passenger vehicle with a range of approximately 50 miles and a top speed of 55 mph.
30 YEARS AGO — 1982
Tires extruded from vinyl: Semipneumatic tires for applications ranging from mobile toys to garden equipment are now being extruded by Hamelin Industries Inc. from Geon vinyl supplied by BFGoodrich Chemical Group. The process, according to Hamelin, is unique to the industry; most semipneumatic tires are made from compression-molded rubber. The advantages of vinyl include extra-long wear, an assortment of colors at little or no additional expense, and it’s nonmarking. In addition, Hamelin claims the extrusion process also allows more flexibility in profile design at a lower tooling cost to the customer.
50 YEARS AGO — 1962
Wings for Denison: The HS Denison, a 90-ton ocean-going hydrofoil being developed by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. for the U. S. Maritime Administration, was fitted with two 5½-ton main foils. A third, stern-mounted foil will be fitted later. Developed primarily for research purposes, Denison will eventually be put into passenger service between Port Everglades, Fla., and the Bahama Islands. She will carry 60 passengers. Powered by an 18,000-hp gas turbine, the craft will have a maximum speed of 90 knots.