I (JP) took this photo at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, and while already a fan of AM talk radio station, KFI and of electric vehicle, couldn't possibly have imagined that the history of the two were so beautifully intertwined.
Newcomb Weisenberger, an engineer for KFI AM 640 for 33 years, and I'm sure one of their greatest treasures, had the great pleasure of working directly with Earl C. Anthony, and had the wherewithal to preserve many amazing pieces of not only automotive history, but also military and technological history. OldRadio.com has been gracious enough to host Newcomb's memoirs, which are a fascinating and delightful experience to read.
I'd like to directly show you to his account and recollection of Earl C. Anthony's "Runabout," which has been touted as the "first fully electric car" by many in the field, perhaps even utilizing an early form of regenerative braking! ECA built it at the young age of only 17; according to the placard at Petersen, he was, "a competent electrical engineer who also designed and built the 1.5 horsepower motor that powered the car."
The vehicle you see in the photo is believed to be a reconstruction built on a new wooden frame and using the existing other parts (to include bicycle forks!) due to an accident the vehicle was involved in on the very rough and unkind early Los Angeles roads.
Go to hell!
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