The wheel is probably the most important mechanical invention of all time. Nearly every machine built since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution involves a single, basic principle embodied in one of mankind’s truly significant inventions. It’s hard to imagine any mechanized system that would be possible without the wheel or the idea of a symmetrical component moving in a circular motion on an axis. From tiny watch gears to automobiles, jet engines and computer disk drives, the principle is the same.
Hot Wheels cars from Mattel were first introduced in 1968, Mattel releasing their first line of sixteen models of fantasy custom cars with names like Python, Custom Cougar, and Hot Heap. The lowered front ends and raised rear wheels was "California Custom", and in the case of the 1969 Corvette, this was the first real look for the public for the real McCoy. Sales were excellent.
