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AI Time Machine: Route 66 Goes Virtual

Ahead of Route 66’s centennial, Google Arts & Culture and the National Trust for Historic Preservation launched the “Route 66 Rewind” project.

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📅 Today's Story: Ahead of Route 66’s centennial, Google Arts & Culture and the National Trust for Historic Preservation launched “Route 66 Rewind,” an AI platform that recreates vintage Americana through video and archival storytelling to preserve the iconic highway's legacy.

TECHNOLOGY


AI Time Machine: For Centennial, Route 66 Goes Virtual

Screenshot from Route 66 Rewind experience (Source: Google Arts & Culture)

📰 What Happened: The “Route 66 Rewind” project uses Google’s Veo video generation tech to reimagine 33 historic stops along Route 66. Users can virtually travel the 2,400-mile corridor, experiencing how attractions once looked in previous decades — a novel fusion of AI, culture, and preservation.

🔍 A Closer Look: Developed with human-curated content and local partnerships, the experience spans eight states from Chicago to Santa Monica. Landmarks like Amboy’s Roy’s Motel and the Blue Whale of Catoosa are brought to life, making the digital road trip immersive, educational, and uniquely nostalgic.

🧠 Why It Matters: Route 66’s physical presence may be fading, but this initiative ensures its cultural impact endures. By engaging younger audiences through digital storytelling, the project not only preserves Americana but also revitalizes interest in historic preservation and tourism along the storied highway.

 

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