Though times and vehicular technologies change, at least one thing remains the same: concept cars drive vehicle design, both on and off the drawing board. What seems visionary and perhaps impossible today may well become a standard feature tomorrow, and perhaps even inspire generations of designers to come. Lincoln has tasked WebUrbanist with a bit of creative time travel – first backward, then forward. Our journey begins with this series of five future-shaping concept vehicles of the 20th Century.

The Ford Seattle-Ite is something of an historical wonder – a World’s Fair show item in the 1960s, it portended interchangeable fuel cells and bodies, safety glass as well as interactive computer and mapping systems fascinatingly (strikingly similar to the GPS units found in more and more models every day). Of course, not every innovation comes true – the proposed compact nuclear fuel source has yet to materialize, but who knows: it might yet.

As early as the 1930s, though, designer ideas pushed beyond their time in models such as the Phantom Corsair. This prototype never entered production, but its flush fenders and minimalist lack of running boards inspired future sleek and modern designs. Even now, it looks streamlined and deceptively light despite weighing in at nearly 5000 pounds.

Another failed but famous flop from the same decade was designed by notable architect and inventor Buckminster Fuller – his Dymaxion car strove for fuel efficiency and maximum passenger room, carrying up to a dozen people at a time. While aerodynamic due to its shape, it was scrapped after a serious accident during a demonstration that showed it could roll too easily due under the right (or more accurately: wrong) conditions. All the same, its emphasis on efficient engineering from power usage to body configuration still inspire modern designers to this day.

And then there is the iconic Lincoln Futura, which made the rounds (and headlines) at auto shows in the mid-1950s. Unlike many concept cars of its time, the Futura was fully functional – at the same time, it was all about design. From its bubble-top canopy to its sweeping tail fins, it stretched aesthetics in all directions. It went on to become a cultural phenomena, starring in the classic television series Batman and featuring prominently in major movies as well. Its eccentric curves may have been too much to handle as an open-road, mass-production model, but it managed to make a long-term mark nonetheless.

Success comes in strange ways in the realm of design, as each of these examples illustrates in a different way. In some cases, a trend is anticipated or even started by an unsuspecting source. In other cases, an extreme idea ultimately becomes everyday reality. One thing, though, is for certain: coloring within the lines is no way to jockey for position in the never-ending race to create the next great vehicle – pushing limits, testing and experimenting are, paradoxically, perhaps the only way to to stay on track. Our second article in this two-part series skips straight through the present and pushes into the future, featuring design concepts and prototype cars suited for everything from land to sea and air.

Wedding cakes are the ultimate showpiece for any skilled baker. No matter how amazing one’s cakes are when making the typical elegant creation that most brides and grooms want, the real test is how one handles a more creative request.

(Images via the-weddingdresses, weirdomatic, wedding-cake, gearfuse, stressawaybridal, graphicshunt)

The easiest way to make a cake out of the ordinary is to top it with a creative bride and groom. Everyone is familiar with the standard couple standing stately at the top of an elegant cake, but how about the bride carrying the groom? Or the two fighting off a wave of cake zombies?

(Images via theukweddingshows, squirrelsviews)

Videogame nerds often marry videogame nerds. The result? Videogame wedding cakes that blow the lid of wedding cake conventions.

(Images via sudhiart, sudhiart, weddingandcakes, tie-the-knot-blog)

Giving a baker some creative license can yield the most interesting cakes of all. Giant war ships on the open sea, luggage to showcase the couple’s mutual love of travel, or entire scenes from their lives can be sculpted and eaten by an excited wedding party.

(Images via sclick, greatwhitesnark, getinmahbelly, sclick)

A Star Wars wedding cake is arguably the best idea anyone has ever had. Clearly several people have decided to go this route, as the variety of cakes is broad and the quality, fantastic.

(Images via askginka, fandomania, thebrideguides, prepare-to-wed)

Some creative wedding cakes are quite a bit on the quirky side. One assumes that some of these creations are groom’s cakes, which tend to have more flexibility for fun versus elegance.

(Images via zitamok, steampunkcostume)

Here are two cakes that will cause a stir. An intricate leaning tower of Pisa and a steampunk-styled creation are both eye-catching conversation starters. The only difficulty is how to cut them!

(Images via wiccanmakesometoo, weddinggo, weddingwire, brideorama)

Yes, Goths do get married, and yes, they do have gothic-themed wedding cakes. Some are able to capture an elegant balance between dark and light, while some go even more macabre with icing that looks a lot like blood…

(Images via yowazzup, knotforlife, wedding-cakes-for-you)

So many girls have dreams of their perfect wedding, and they also have dreams of marrying their own prince charming in the process. Why not combine the two and display the fulfillment of these goals with a giant castle cake? These towering creations are eye-catching and look like a lot of fun to eat.

(Images via funzu, newsfeed, wedding-gallery)

Some wedding couples either have a great sense of humor, or a lot of latent aggression. These cakes are a bit hostile, to say the least, but they succeed in their aim: to grab everyone’s attention!