• Sunday-What'sUP March 3 - 08:28 am

I can hardly believe it has been six years since we had our first "Pasty Cameo" about the incredible Motor Toboggan from Carl Eliason that started the revolution of travel in the woods. In addition to the 1942 Popular Mechanics cover (seen in the Original Cameo) I recently came across the company's ad that appeared in "Indian Motorcycle News". Funny that the recreational pastime is known today as snowmobiling, instead of snow-riding. Whatever the name, it is "an exhilarating sport". See more of this colorful history at eliason-snowmobile.com

Lot's of exhilarating going on in the woods this weekend here in the Keweenaw, the four-legged kind and the CopperDog 150 concludes today in Calumet. I was over at the finish line here in Eagle River - with a couple hundred other people - at midnight on Friday as the first leg of the event was completed. The winners of this shorter distance race, as well as the 3-day CD 150 will be announced this afternoon over at copperdog150.com

Have a good week :o)

This back in history is neat! Dad had an Indian Chief motorcycle w/sidecar back in the late 30's early 40's. That issue of Indian Motorcycle News was released when my oldest sister was born. Another term for snow riding, snowmobile is snow machine.

I probably saw those ads, Charlie ~ my daddy subscribed to Popular Mechanics, and National Geographic, and I was fascinated by both.
Glad you survived the midnight cold Friday!

Greetings:

In the Popular Mechanics Magazine photo is the machine gun for shooting deer during hunting season?

JT

JT, I think that is supposed to be a soldier. This
is the 1942 edition, and the banner in the lower
left corner says, "Buy United States War Savings
Bonds and Stamps".

Happy Anniversary, Pastycam.

The third photo looks like a James Bond flick.

OK here is a question for the history buffs. Just how did they steer the crazy thing? No skis and the track is set straight ahead. Has any one been on one of these things?

Wvyooper, I have seen pictures of them with handle bars or a steering wheel.

I don't think the pioneers of the snow machine envisioned it evolving into the high speed machines of today with limited utility without an already made trail to ride upon.

Wvyooper,they did have skis. In picture #2, there are skis,but you can't see them because of the snow.On that particular machine the skis were operated by a lever. I did get a ride on a 1946 Eliason, that one had a steering wheel on it. It is now in the Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum in Naubinway, MI.

Guess first Message didn't make it.
See ladys on sled first. DA GUYS let them try
it to see what happen.