Here's a fascinating old video called "Give Yourself the Green Light." Put together by GM's PR wing in 1954, it advocates public spending on bigger and better roads. Certainly self-serving, but also interesting. Careful, it's 22 minutes long.
Sure, GM had had interest in getting better and faster roads under the tires of its products, but advocacy like this did lead to the creation of the Eisenhower Interstate System. Since its creation the interstate system has saved Americans countless hours and vastly improved interstate commerce and the mobility of the population. It also led to urban and suburban sprawl and the disintegration of public transit, whether or not that's a bad thing is all in your perspective. It certainly made the car king. As neat as the video is for its time capsule quality, it's just as cool to see all those vintage cars new and in their prime.
[via TCL]