The Vacuum

The first I encountered the concept of vacuum tubes was not at the bank surprisingly but it was reading Edward Bellamy's classic science fiction work Looking Backward. In this fascinating book Bellamy painted the picture of a society living in perfect harmony with each other and the world around them. Of memorable note, really the only thing I do remember, was the system of vacuum tubes used by the populace of the future to purchase and deliver food and other necessary goods.

Of course since then many a vacuum tube has been and continue to be used around the country and world. It is a surprisingly simple concept.

And now for the tube of tomorrow. Rail tubes that can send passengers across the land at 4000 mph (or more in kilometers, don't have that handy science with me at the moment!). Thats pretty fast and fuel efficient too.

It would be interesting if, once perfected we say a race to tube the world much like we did in the 1800 to rail it. And surely once it was all built, as fuel would be almost nothing, the tickets would be super duper cheap.

Oh wait, I slipped back into that Utopian ideal!

But its a pretty cool concept, hope to see it.