Imagining the future in old-time Phoenix


Time-travel with me back to old-time Phoenix and let's try to imagine the future. Don't get me wrong, I like it here in the 1940s, but the future is going to be great!

The first thing I'd like to see is all of the flooding controlled, and more paved roads. This is ridiculous! Every monsoon season the roads turn into mud and everyone seems to get stranded until the water dries up. We're in the 1940s, we have the technology, let's fix it! Once the war is over, I expect the Army Corps of Engineers to get over here, and do some of their engineering magic. No, I have no idea how they do it, but I know that it can be done.

Speaking of which, how about a way to have air conditioning in our cars? I've been reading about it in Popular Mechanics, and it's another thing that would make it nicer living here. Just imagine, getting in your car and pushing a button, and cool air? And I understand all you have to do is mount it on the roof of your car. If I had air conditioning in my car I'd never ask for anything more, that's for sure!

Yeah, I know that I read too much Buck Rogers, but what about being able to talk to people on some kind of "walkie-talkie" without phone lines? Yeah, I know that sounds crazy, but you mark my word, some day people in Phoenix will be able to talk to anyone, even if they're sitting at a table in a restaurant. Won't that be nice?

The future will be wonderful. I imagine not only paved roads, but "free-ways" where you could drive really fast, and not have to stop for anything. It will be wonderful!

What's that? No, I won't lend you my latest copy of "Amazing Science Fiction" - I want to read it again, and dream of the future!

Image at the top of this post: Looking north towards the mountains from the Jokake School in the 1940, which is where the Phoenican Resort is nowadays.
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