This 1950s driving simulator may not be capable of running Gran Turismo, but it can assist you in obtaining your driver's license.

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      It's interesting to see an insurance company promote driver education by creating a driving simulator. In collaboration with Singer (the sewing machine brand), Aetna Insurance designed the Drivotrainer, an analog “dummy car” that was implemented in driver training classrooms in high schools and other institutions.

      What set the Drivotrainer apart was that it provided a standardized method of driver education within a classroom setting. Instead of dealing with anxiety and frustration in a high school parking lot or local streets, students faced these challenges in their own driving simulator. Thus, they learned in the calm environment of indoors.

      As reported by Silodrome, each Drivotrainer was equipped with controls typical of real cars from that era. This included a working steering wheel, a turn signal lever, a dashboard with indicator lights and gauges, a gear shifter, and, of course, three pedals. This was during the '50s, where mastering a clutch was essential for obtaining a driver’s license. As it should be.

      These controls served more than just aesthetic purposes; the single-seat machines, known as “Aetnacars,” provided real-time feedback to the student driver. Periscope Film, which holds archival footage, notes that the engine noise would change in response to the throttle, while the steering wheel, clutch, and brake provided realistic resistance. Additionally, the seat added a bouncing effect to enhance the driving experience.

      To further enhance the learning process, a large screen at the front displayed a pre-recorded film illustrating various driving scenarios, similar to the cockpit-view Nürburgring videos we all enjoy watching. The complete Drivotrainer course consisted of 22 training films, all synchronized with the student simulators and the instructor’s main console.

      The Aetna Casualty and Insurance Company supported the implementation of these driving simulation machines in schools to help reduce the number of road accidents involving learner drivers. The ‘Drivotrainer’ machines aimed to get trainees acquainted with hazardous situations. (Photo by Orlando/Getty Images) Orlando

      The student drivers’ actions were tracked and recorded in real time, making it important to pay attention—as it would be in actual driving situations. To complete the course, students had to pass an extensive 25-minute film-based road test that covered typical driving scenarios and emergencies.

      A typical Drivotrainer classroom housed 15 Aetnacars. One of the first classes was set up at the Brooklyn High School for Automotive Trades in 1953, according to the Brooklyn Public Library. However, other schools nationwide also adopted the Drivotrainer. Archived newsreels mention schools like William Cullen Bryant High School in Queens, New York, Iowa State Teachers College (now the University of Northern Iowa), and Hollywood High School in California.

      Similar simulators spread globally. Silodrome highlights an Italian version that resembles the Aetna model but features a gated shifter. Other regions adjusted their models accordingly; for example, Hagerty notes that the U.K. adapted theirs for right-hand driving.

      Although production ceased in the late ‘70s, Aetna driving simulators remained in use through the 1980s. However, like many driver education programs, these Aetnacars are now relics of the past. Still, if you're feeling nostalgic, there's one available on eBay for a hundred dollars, though you might need to provide your own engine noises.

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