A free, 60 minute Author’s Talk about White Elephant Technology. Sponsored by Amherst College, the illustrated presentation including Q&A will be held on Saturday, June 1 from 1:45-2:45 p.m. (Eastern) in the Cole Assembly Room at Converse Hall.

From Jeeps that flew to tanks that shouldn’t; from a jet-powered train that nearly shook itself apart to a wave-powered boat that took forever to reach its destination—an entertaining look at unusual inventions that failed in the marketplace despite being innovative. Importantly, none of these inventions are speculative. Each one was built, field tested and worked more or less as planned except when it killed its inventor. Intended to inform, amuse and delight, this historical survey of crazy inventions (including favorites like jet packs and flying cars) will leave you shaking your head in wonder while asking the questions, “What in the world were they thinking?” Based on research for my latest book, WHITE ELEPHANT TECHNOLOGY, the course will be lavishly illustrated with one-of-a-kind photographs, film clips and first-person accounts guaranteed to make you laugh. Open to students, professors, alumni and guests.