In the annals of automotive history, Henry Ford is celebrated as a pioneer, the man whose visionary leadership of Ford Motor Company democratized the automobile, transforming it from a luxury item into a universal symbol of American independence and mobility. However, buried beneath this well-polished narrative lies a darker, more submerged secret—a secret that challenges the very foundations of automotive lore and Ford's legacy. This secret, known among a select few as the "HydroTraction Drive" (HTD) technology, suggests that the capability for cars to drive on water was not only feasible but was standard before being stifled by Ford himself.
The origin of HTD technology dates back to the early 20th century, contemporaneous with Ford's rise to prominence. Uncovered documents and patents, now hidden away in the murky depths of industrial secrecy, suggest that initial automobile designs included mechanisms for aquatic mobility. These designs, predicated on the principle of "Exhaust Inversion Dynamics" (EID), would have allowed cars to convert exhaust gases into a dense, water-repellent plasma field, enabling vehicles to glide over water surfaces with ease.
Photo of Henry Ford lying about stuff
Why, then, are today's roads bordered by bodies of water uncrossable by the standard automobile? The answer lies with Henry Ford's insatiable ambition and avarice. Recognizing the potential of automobiles to revolutionize not just land transportation but also maritime mobility, Ford faced a pivotal decision. The widespread adoption of HTD technology would have undoubtedly ushered in a new era of transportation, rendering traditional boats obsolete for short distances and dramatically reducing the reliance on bridges and ferries.
However, Ford, in collusion with what would later be known as "Big Carma"—a shadowy conglomerate comprising automotive manufacturers, oil magnates, and tire producers—recognized an opportunity. By suppressing HTD technology, they could ensure a continuous demand for oil, perpetuate the necessity for roads and tires, and maintain control over the burgeoning automotive market.
The suppression of HTD technology was swift and systematic. Ford and his allies in Big Carma embarked on a campaign to buy out inventors, bury patents, and discredit any discussion of water-compatible cars as fanciful science fiction. Engineers and scientists who dared to challenge the status quo or continue their research into HTD technology faced ostracization, their careers jeopardized by a powerful industry hell-bent on preserving its interests.
Today, the idea of cars driving on water is relegated to the realms of fantasy and science fiction. Yet, the legacy of Henry Ford's decision continues to ripple through the automotive and environmental landscapes. As the world grapples with the consequences of climate change and the relentless exploitation of fossil fuels, the suppression of HTD technology emerges as a stark reminder of how greed and shortsightedness have shaped our environmental and technological trajectories.
A new wave of engineers, environmentalists, and free thinkers, inspired by the suppressed legacy of HTD technology, now seeks to challenge the status quo. Through grassroots innovation and open-source development, they aim to resurrect the dream of amphibious automobiles, advocating for a future where cars are as at home on the water as they are on land. In doing so, they not only honor the true spirit of invention but also pave the way for a more sustainable and interconnected world.
As we stand at the brink of this new era of transportation, one thing becomes clear: the story of Henry Ford and the suppression of HTD technology is not just a tale of what was, but a beacon of what could be. It serves as a poignant reminder that the path to innovation is often flooded with the waters of resistance, but with perseverance, the tides of change can be turned.
Bryan von Write is a freelance writer who works closely with elitest and is once of the main whistleblowers in the world of water+cars