Unveiling 'The Beast': Top Secrets of the Presidential Limousine

The history of the presidential limousine shows a progression from a simple motor car following a horse-drawn carriage to the technological behemoth that is The Beast. Earlier presidential cars, such as the one used by JFK, were modified with bulletproof glass and armor after the attack on Pearl Harbor, but the assassination of JFK led to a complete overhaul of presidential security and the development of more sophisticated, armored vehicles. Each iteration has improved upon the last, culminating in the "rolling fortress" that protects the President today.