[RWebb]

well, I have two pairs of birkenstocks so maybe I yam a doubel idiyat...

The Prius hyrid is indeed far advanced over the Lohner wheel hub motors created by Ferd. It would be surprising if it was not, since engineers today can build on an additional century of technology.

If you think that hybrid drive does not "actually work" you are sadly mistaken. Besides cars, it is used today in some buses, large earth moving equipment, and trains.