Think you know vehicles? Think again! Unconventional Vehicles is a nonfiction collection of 45 of the strangest, most unconventional vehicles that have ever existed. Vehicles include an underwater battery-powered scooter, a carriage pulled by ostriches, a hot air balloon shaped like the Cathedral of Saint Gall, and five different jet packs. • Filled with history, science, technology, engineering, and interesting bits of trivia, all in one kid-appealing package • Part of the Uncommon Compendiums series • Vehicles range from submersibles to dirigibles. Unconventional Vehicles explores very strange modes of transportation for vehicle fans, rocket inventors, budding space-and-aeronautics experts, and anyone who's ever thought, "Why can't I ride a motorized suitcase through the airport?" Brimming with fascinating facts and diagrams presented with wit and humor, this book is sure to enthrall vehicle enthusiasts of every age. • Ideal for children ages 8 to 12 years old, especially those interested in vehicles and engineering • Author Michael Hearst brings his signature verve and humor to this fascinating read. • Young readers will devour all the substantive and silly content in this book, proving definitively that nonfiction is anything but dry. • A great pick for teachers, parents, grandparents, and caregivers • You'll love this book if you love books like Cars, Trains, Ships, and Planes: A Visual Encyclopedia of Every Vehicle by DK; Stephen Biesty's Incredible Cross-Sections by Stephen Biesty; and Cool Cars by Quentin Willson.

Beyond the traditional purposes of moving people, goods, raw materials, and mail from place to place lies a world of unconventional uses of motor vehicles. Rolling grocery stores, churches, classrooms and health clinics have taken traditionally stationary services directly to those who need them. Companies have built vehicles in the shapes of their products (the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile being just one famous example) from the early years of automobiles. This lively history gives a fascinating overview of the many special purposes vehicles have served. The unconventional uses of motor vehicles stretch one's imagination. The author here divides them into eight types based on their purposes and uses. Sales vehicles support a successful sales volume; advertising vehicles retain present customers and attract new ones; education and training vehicles provide skills updates for employees; charity vehicles are used to serve various populations of the needy, suffering, and distressed; religious vehicles promote a particular faith; functional vehicles perform an on-the-spot function normally done by a fixed-base facility; multimodal vehicles have the ability to traverse land, water, and air; and government vehicles provide a host of services to constituencies. Examples are provided for each type of vehicle and examples from other nations besides the United States are included as well.

Get ready to learn about 45 of the strangest, most unconventional vehicles that have ever existed--from submersibles to dirigibles, and everything in between.

A NASA R&D engineer does “a masterful job ferreting out the basic science and technology behind the elusive UFO characteristics.” —Edgar Mitchell, Sc.D., Apollo 14 Astronaut Paul Hill was a well-respected NASA scientist when, in the early 1950s, he had a UFO sighting. Soon after, he built the first flying platform and was able to duplicate the UFO’s tilt-to-control maneuvers. Official policy, however, prevented him from proclaiming his findings. “I was destined,” says Hill, “to remain as unidentified as the flying objects.” For the next twenty-five years, Hill acted as an unofficial clearing house at NASA, collecting and analyzing sightings’ reports for physical properties, propulsion possibilities, dynamics and more. To refute claims that UFOs defy the laws of physics, he had to make “technological sense . . . of the unconventional object.” After his retirement from NASA, Hill finally completed his remarkable analysis. In Unconventional Flying Objects, published posthumously, he presents his findings that UFOs “obey, not defy, the laws of physics.” Vindicating his own sighting and thousands of others, he proves that UFO technology is not only explainable, but attainable.

For a century, almost all light-duty vehicles (LDVs) have been powered by internal combustion engines operating on petroleum fuels. Energy security concerns about petroleum imports and the effect of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on global climate are driving interest in alternatives. Transitions to Alternative Vehicles and Fuels assesses the potential for reducing petroleum consumption and GHG emissions by 80 percent across the U.S. LDV fleet by 2050, relative to 2005. This report examines the current capability and estimated future performance and costs for each vehicle type and non-petroleum-based fuel technology as options that could significantly contribute to these goals. By analyzing scenarios that combine various fuel and vehicle pathways, the report also identifies barriers to implementation of these technologies and suggests policies to achieve the desired reductions. Several scenarios are promising, but strong, and effective policies such as research and development, subsidies, energy taxes, or regulations will be necessary to overcome barriers, such as cost and consumer choice.

The rapidly changing landscape of alternative car technologies created the need for the second edition of Alternative Cars in the 21st Century: A New Personal Transportation Paradigm. This essential publication provides an abundance of critical knowledge for engineering professionals and consumers alike, offering a brighter alternative future through better alternative cars.

SeeMore Readers are designed for every young reader. Large, bright pictures instantly engage readers in the subject. Exciting yet simple text provides the information that kids, parents, and teachers want--from key facts to fascinating trivia. Full color.

Paul Hill was a well-respected NASA scientist when, in the early 1950s, he had a UFO sighting. Soon after, he built the first flying platform and was able to duplicate the UFO's tilt-to-control maneuvers. Official policy, however, prevented him from proclaiming his findings. "I was destined," says Hill, "to be as unidentified as the flying objects." For the next twenty-five years, Hill acted as an unofficial clearinghouse at NASA, collecting and analyzing sightings' reports for physical properties, propulsion possibilities, dynamics, etc. To refute claims that UFOs defy the laws of physics, he had to make "technological sense... of the unconventional object." After his retirement from NASA, Hill finally completed his remarkable analysis. This book, published posthumously, presents his findings that UFOs "obey, not defy, the laws of physics." Vindicating his own sighting and thousands of others, he proves that UFO technology is not only explainable, but attainable.

Which vehicles work on construction sites? What types of vessels travel across oceans? Which ones take us up in the air? Children can find out the answers to these questions and more in this accessible and interactive guide. The multilayered 3-D scenes leap off every page, allowing young readers to explore the world of vehicles in a unique way. * 10 big multilayered pop-ups, one on every spread! * Descriptive text and labeled illustrations for quick and easy learning * Built-in elastic bands that allow readers to display their favorite scenes on a bookcase or desk * Sturdy construction that's perfect for at-home or on-the-go Fans of the Pop-Up Guide(tm): Vehicles will also enjoy the other book in the series, Space. * Great family and classroom read-aloud * Books for children aged 3 to 5 * Books for preschool and kindergarten children