U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for Feb. 19

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19: CAR/AIRPLANE COMBINATION

Profile America — Friday, February 19th. For over 70 years, visionaries have tried to make vehicles that were flying automobiles. The hope was that such a vehicle could be used by commuters to fly to an airport near work, detach the wings, and then drive to the office. One of the first, the Waterman Arrowbile, was finished for testing this week in 1937, but proved to be too expensive. In 1950, the Fulton Airphibian was certified by authorities, but did not sell well. Both are on display at the National Air and Space Museum. Recently, a sophisticated flying car called the Transition has made news. In the U.S., there are nearly 187,000 civil aircraft and about 136 million automobiles. Profile America is in its 13th year as a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 5447

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2010, t. 1047, 1060

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look under the "Newsroom" button).

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau