A look at transportation technology would not be complete without a glimpse at some of the failures, such as blimps, poor aircraft designs, and some early automobiles. The Stanley Steamer, for instance, seemed like a sound innovation, but it simply could not compete with the internal combustion engine. The blimp is still used, but more for observation and advertising, rather than transportation for large groups. All of these failures in technology helped lead innovators to other solutions and ideas, and so, they may not have truly been failures at all.

Finally, a look at technology and transportation should look to the future, as well. Will supersonic flight ever really exist for a majority of people? What will cars of the future look like? Will we ever break our dependence on fossil fuels and create alternative forms of

Transportation helped influence other innovations, as well, from the family summer vacation, to the communications industry (car radios, drive-in's and media players, for example). Americans do just about everything in their cars, and so, they are an important part of society, rather than just a box with four wheels. Therefore, a look at transportation should also discuss the lifestyle and technology changes that have evolved as a result of transportation innovations, such as airports, freeways, ports, space centers, and even global warming and vehicle emissions. The technology of transportation seems endless, and so do the topics for research and discussion.