A Burning Man 293
always driving, one team sailed through the desert in a
wind wagon.
The story behind the wind wagon began in 1853. Before
the railroad through the American wilderness was finished,
Thomas Smith had an idea to replace the slow horse-
drawn wagons that transported people and freight. His
idea consisted of wind-powered wagons that would sail
across the continent. Smith began by constructing a smaller
prototype and proved it was possible to sail to a town 300
miles [480 km] away.^99
Smith was now ready to construct a larger prototype
and he invited the company’s investors to the maiden
trip. The brisk wind on the day blew the wind wagon
to speeds of 22 mph [35 km/h]. The ball bearing and the
shock absorber had not yet been invented, so while smoke
appeared from the wheels, the wagon began to shake until
the steering mechanism failed. The scared passengers lost
faith in their investment and escaped from the wagon,
breaking arms and legs. Like the captain ofTitanic, Edward
Smith, his precursor remained on his wind wagon until the
end when it finally broke down. He had to limp home.^99
The modern version of the wind wagon didn’t break
down. “It’s a boyhood dream building something that has
never existed,” one of the creators said. “I want to honor
those who tried what no one else has tried or like no
one else has thought. It is only the most insane and most
dedicated who go out with their big crazy ships.”^101
Elon has attended Burning Man at least nine times.
With him, he brought his electric rocket art car and he has