Amphibious DUKW vehicles, better known today as the ridiculously painted duck boats used for goofy tourist sightseeing tours, were originally designed to storm beaches while dodging bullets during World War II.

A closer look

Amphibious DUKW vehicles, better known today as the ridiculously painted duck boats used for goofy tourist sightseeing tours, were originally designed to storm beaches while dodging bullets during World War II. General Motors slapped a boat hull onto a military truck chassis and connected a propeller to the driveshaft, creating an ugly but functional hybrid that solved massive logistical nightmares. Thousands of these awkward steel bathtubs carried essential supplies directly from transport ships to the muddy shores of Normandy and Sicily. Now, instead of delivering high-explosive artillery to allied troops, they drive bachelorette parties through downtown traffic before dramatically splashing into a local river to the sound of quacking kazoos!