The Wall Street Journal has a nice little article - and excellent photos - on the Stout Scarab, a buggy old car that might be the forebearer to the minivan.

The Journal writes:

William B. Stout was a Michigan-based inventor, best remembered for building the first all-metal airplane and a portable folding house, one of which I own. In the 1930s, he turned his attention to the auto industry with his Stout Scarab, of which nine were made.

His goal: to build a car of the future. It was no bigger than a normal car on the outside, with twice the room inside. It had flush window glass and fenders incorporated into the body, so it would drive without wind noise. It had a table, moving chairs, and three cigar lighters.

For a tour of the car, and all that's inside, watch this: