Message from 1965: Cars Are Like Frankenstein's Monster

We've known for some time that it would be difficult to rein in the automobile once the country's obsession had taken hold. Footage from a news special aired in 1965 offers historic perspective.

1 minute read

December 1, 2015, 12:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


1965 Mustang

Tupungato / Shutterstock

Alex Ihnen dug into the archives to reveal a little gem that illustrates the historic context of the struggle to reckon with the automobile as the central, defining force of cities. Writing from St. Louis, Ihnen has a specific take on the challenges presented by the automobile in that region—where "congestion is among the lowest of any major city."

For comparison's sake, the problem was "more acute," according to Ihnen, in 1965, when the video below was produced. The video, "The Commuters' Special" aired by KMOX-TV, compares the rise of the automobile to the life of Frankenstein's monster: "at first it was docile and easy to get along with but somewhere along the line the monster began getting out of hand and eventually it hunted its creator down and destroyed him."

The article includes more of Ihnen's take on the lessons gained from unearthing the clip as well as a transcript of the video.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015 in nextSTL

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.