Not *quite* alternate history...

[Nik]

The Museum of RetroTechnology...

http://www.dself.dsl.pipex.com/MUSEUM/museum.htm

Usefully, site both discusses 'why it didn't work', and where similar designs & principles *did* find application...

Could be useful as 'period piece' background & steam-punk source.

 

[Justin Pickard]

Thank you so much.

 

[Akiyama]

This site is so worderful I feel I ought to bump it. I particularly like the monowheels, some of them look almost practical.