The Freedom Machine
A proposal for a new class of motor vehicles
Maybe the most wonderful aspect of the Freedom Machine is that you do not have to have one. You can continue to drive your current vehicle.
Free at last
We have cars, busses, motorcycles and motorhomes. Each is different and serves a unique purpose. What about a new kind of vehicle whose purpose is to get spectacular mileage and free our country from importing foreign fuel?

Lets call it the Freedom Machine

This is my proposal for energy independence
Freedom Machine: The Basics
In the past, politicians' solutions to our energy problems have not been very creative. To reduce energy consumption, they lowered speed limits. They controlled when we could and could not buy fuel. We might as well go back to bed. Basically, politicians like to restrict us. Where is the incentive to invent new solutions?

What would happen if politicians actually helped the inventors of America solve our problems?

Helping us develop the American Freedom Machine could be that opportunity
The Freedom Machine would be any vehicle that gets 100 miles per gallon, at 70 miles per hour, carrying at least 4 bags of groceries.

(The fact is: Everybody wants a vehicle like this)
Freedom Machine operators will be able to:

Go as fast as 100 miles per gallon will allow on freeways.

Be free from most governmental requirements.

Manufactures of Freedom Machines:

Will be free from law suits.
Definition of the Freedom Machine

2-3-4 or more wheels are OK.

Mileage really needs to be associated with the cost of the fuel, not the amount. Instead of mpg, miles per gallon, we need to think: "miles per cent", or "mpc". For example, at $4.00 a gallon, a typical 25 mpg vehicle costs 16 cents to go a mile. A Freedom Machine would cost 4 cents to travel a mile. Thinking in terms of cost will help us understand the relative merits of the various fuels like electric, hydrogen, Diesel and the various grades of gasoline.

Of course, each state will have its Road Tax added into the Freedom Machine's computer. For example, in California, the state collects 37¢ for each $4 gallon of fuel. Freedom Machines will be expected to pay some, but a reduced portion of this

The license plate will be a digital screen that also displays the speed and mileage something like this:

70 mph @ 100 mpg - 4¢ / mile

The digital license / display panel will control the top speed of the vehicle, keeping it within 100 mpg or 4¢ a mile. On the freeway, any speed obtained at the cost of 4 cents a mile will be OK. The Freedom Machine will be able to travel as fast as 4¢ a mile will allow.
Freedom Machine: Details
As a designer with over 40 years of experience, I have learned that it is easy to solve a problem, once we have identified that problem. The problem, as I understand it, is:

"We are buying 2 out of every 3 gallons of our vehicles' fuel from foreigners. This is making us poor and making them rich. Some of them hate us and use what was once our money to try to destroy us."

The solution is simple: We must do more with less. Inventor and Designer Buckminster Fuller said this over 50 years ago. If we reduced our consumption by 2/3rds, we would not be buying foreign fuel for our vehicles.

Creating a Freedom Class Vehicle will make "doing more with less" popular.

America's inventors know what to do. Politicians need to help. Now is a good time to work together.
Buckminster Fuller
What would a Freedom Machine look like?

It would be streamlined: Round at the front... pointed at the rear.

The shape that goes thru the air best is streamlined. There is no alternative. This is a basic Design Truth.
What real streamlining looks like
Streamlined: Round at the front... pointed at the rear.
How much power would a Freedom Machine have?
I believe we need 10 to 18 horsepower, once we are streamlined.
Popular culture believes we need 300 horsepower. More horsepower burns more fuel. It is as simple as that.

This is where our fuel is going
Real Streamlining and the right amount of power is the formula for spectacular fuel economy
Freedom to Choose

Little by little, politicians have taken away freedoms we once had. For example, there was a time when we could decide for ourselves whether or not we wanted to wear a helmet. Today politicians think it is their responsibility to mandate safety. The freedom to decide risks and and take responsibilities is being taken away from us.

Restoring these freedoms may be the single biggest incentive to owning and operating a Freedom Machine.

One lady, asked:

"Would I be safe?"

My answer was:

"You get to decide that for yourself"

Money cannot buy such freedoms. More importantly, the Freedom Machine will help solve our energy problem.

Freedom is American

Nobody will force you to drive a Freedom Machine. You can continue to drive your current vehicle.

Freedom from law suits?

It is my observation that many of the most capable designers and engineers in our country, once they are successful, are reluctant to risk it all again. Popular culture does not seem to understand the concept of people accepting responsibility for their own actions. Greedy plaintiffs and their willing attorneys keep America from being the land of the free and home of the brave.

When our government wanted American industry to produce an anthrax vaccination, industry balked. Those of us in business know that nothing is perfectly safe. In order to get the vaccination, the government held the manufacturers harmless.

The same deal needs to be made here to jump start the Freedom Machine industry.
Attention politicians... could this be a new Silicon Valley?

Before dismissing the idea of a Freedom Machine, consider this: You can implement the Freedom Class of vehicles in your own state. We don't need a Federal program.

A Freedom Class Vehicle will cost nothing

We don't need any concessions

We don't need any loans

We just need the freedom

Does anyone have a better idea?
See how they got 470 mpg at the Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Contests 1980-85
Follow the progress on my own Freedom Machine
Thank you. Craig Vetter

Inventor and Designer

Carmel, California
This page upgraded Aug 12, 2008
HOME