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‘Great Increase in Use of Automobiles Changes Americans’

Posted on July 14th, 2009 – 5:13 PM
By Roadguy

My colleague Ben over at the Yesterday’s News blog has posted a 1917 Minneapolis Morning Journal article that attempts to draw a link between improved national health and the rise of the automobile. My favorite part:

Another possible connection between the motor car and intestinal troubles is that it induces a false appetite without sufficient exercise to dispose of the additional food. A dinner with much food and considerable drinking frequently forms part of the close of an automobile ride with consequent disturbance of the digestive apparatus.

Too many burps? Blame your car.

5 Responses to "‘Great Increase in Use of Automobiles Changes Americans’"

Morg says:

July 14th, 2009 at 5:18 pm

Unrelated, but I just had to mention to imbecile I encountered on 35E this afternoon in Eagan. He swerved from the far left lane 3 lanes over to the far right lane with no blinkers, so I caught a glance as I passed. One hand with his cell phone to his ear. In the other hand? A clipboard and pen. I guess his freak 3rd arm was holding the wheel. Can we PLEASE just go Wild West on these idiots before they kill someone else?

Matty says:

July 14th, 2009 at 5:59 pm

Thanks for sharing that, Roadguy–very interesting. It is fascinating to think about how long this city has been in existence and how little of that time it has been dominated by automobiles.

Taking looks like these back into our recent past can certainly be very beneficial to learn from our past mistakes.

esayer says:

July 14th, 2009 at 7:07 pm

Jeesus. I feel you, Morg. The best was today, when I was walking my dog along 25th ave S towards Colfax, a cop drove by me and stopped at the stop sign. At the same time, a car on Colfax DIDN’T stop at the stop sign. I see cars blow stop signs in my neighborhood all the time, and FINALLY one gets busted right in front of me!! YAHOO!!!!

Barry says:

July 15th, 2009 at 4:50 pm

Gotta start taking pictures like Dale The Truck Driver. I almost got clipped by a lady texting and driving.
At least she was getting some exercise at the wheel. How many calories does that burn?

Morg says:

July 15th, 2009 at 5:17 pm

At least the perp was nailed, esayer. I see cars run reds in front of cops all the time, with nary a second glance.

(Sorry to derail the subject of the thread RG)