History's Innovative Autos
Nuclear propulsion
The Ford Nucleon concept car symbolized the 1950s Atomic Age, when
nuclear energy seemed to offer a clean alternative to traditional
fuels. Engineers proposed that the Nucleon (above) would be powered
by a small nuclear reactor, which would split atoms to release
energy in the form of heat. The heat would convert stored water into
steam, and the steam would propel turbine fans to drive the engine.
But the envisioned pint-sized reactors Ford was counting on to be
developed did not materialize, even as recognition of the inherent
danger did. In the end, no working prototypes were built.