Most Popular Books by David Harvey

In parallel with the internationalization of the economy and modern communication systems, we are seeing the development of new regimes of mobility and immobility that are characterized by ever-greater internal conflicts. The rapid development of sophisticated communication technology is actually facilitating a further increase in physical mobility, motorized and otherwise. Increased remote contact is in fact stimulating the desire for physical meetings. This cahier investigates how the various segments of this new mobility regime operate. To what extent can this regime still be guided or influenced? Are there options for a 'radical redesign'? Is the dynamism ultimately determined by economics alone? Is a 'crash' the necessary end stage of the current mobility regime?

The Birmingham & Midland Motor Omnibus Company began to operate motor buses in the Birmingham and Black Country area in 1912, radiating their services out as far as Leicester. By the 1920s they were building their own buses and SOS was born, standing for 'Shire's Own Specification', named after Midland Red's Chief Engineer. The advantage of this was that the company could design exactly what it wanted without having to compromise by adopting a vehicle from an outside manufacturer. These new single deckers, inspired by American designs, were responsible for the closure of many tramways. An important by-product of this decision to manufacture their own buses was that the company could manufacture for other BET Group operators such as the Northern General group, Potteries Motor Traction and Trent Motor Traction. For these and others, the company built many SOS buses, the fleets being seen all over England and Wales. David Harvey tells the story of the SOS buses, of which five have survived into preservation.