Private Jet Packs now for Sale
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The biggest pipedream in all of travel is taking to the air with a jet pack.
Since the 1950s, modern man has dreamed about strapping on some type of rocket to his back and jetting off to work or play. This was supposed to be the future of travel. Back in 1953 when the first jet pack was built by Bell Labs Aerospace, every ten-year old kid dreamed of the not-too-distant future, say... 1990 or 2000 when such an invention would be a simple household appliance. Just like flying cars, for example.
Well, unfortunately, science has let us down; the jet pack is no more a reality these days than a transporter.
According to Popular Mechanics, however, two companies are now trying to live up to the failed promises of science by making jet packs available to the public.
Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana, for example, is selling a $250,000 jet pack that runs on hydrogen peroxide and keeps its wearer aloft for a whopping 30 seconds. Jetpack International offers a cheaper version for $155,000 that provides three more seconds of lift. Oh boy! (Click here to see video).
Here's the interesting news, however. Both companies are promising advanced models within the year that are powered by either propane or actual jet fuel. The lift time with these more combustible fuels is expected to be 19 minutes.
Now we're talking!
Or are they just toying with us again? Please Mr. Scientist, don't crush our dreams like you did before. Little Jimmy wants to fly!!!
Filed under: Gear
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Aug 8th 2007 @ 4:44PM
Michael Rose said...
FINALLY. We've got the touchscreen phones, and here come the jetpacks. Now all I need to do is buzz over to the jetpack dealership with my $155K in the back seat of my flying car...
waitasec.
Nope, darnit, still not living in the future.
Reply
Aug 8th 2007 @ 5:20PM
Michael Savoy said...
Well, unfortunately, science has let us down.
lol. Great line.
Reply
Aug 8th 2007 @ 10:39PM
asktheadmin said...
http://www.asktheadmin.com/2007/06/holy-jetpacks-batman.html
See this comparison of the TWO jetpacks that are available!
Reply
Aug 8th 2007 @ 11:46PM
Trans said...
The problem is simply one of energy. Without table-top fusion --or something else in that range of energy output, like nuclear isomers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_isomer), we will never have viable flying transportation. (Well okay, not unless anti-gravity is discovered).
Unfortunately, as long as Oil and Coal Barons rule our world, these will neer see the light of day, even if they are possible --maybe even already in existence.
Reply
Aug 9th 2007 @ 1:52AM
adin said...
Hopefully these'll stay *really* expensive for a while, limiting how many people can get them.
Can you imagine how many Jon Q. Publics would darwin themselves with this thing? Powerlines, running outta juice at altitude, structure collisions...the list goes on and on!
Reply
Aug 9th 2007 @ 2:09AM
Ken Stox said...
The original jet packs were built by Bell Aerospace, not Bell Labs. Entirely different companies.
Reply
Aug 9th 2007 @ 8:32AM
Tony said...
"would darwin themselves"
Excellent. I have never seen "Darwin" converted to a verb. And with a lowercase d no less. The poor dude's totally lost his name!
Now, back to work before I get darwinned by my boss.
Reply
Aug 9th 2007 @ 9:20AM
Ruth Loose said...
Arrested Development FTW!
Reply
Aug 9th 2007 @ 9:58AM
Marc Savoy said...
Well, unfortunately, science has let us down.
lol. You're damn right.
Reply
Aug 9th 2007 @ 4:34PM
Dennis Gallagher said...
Umm, I do think it really was Bell Aerospace - part of Textron (and made the X-1 and a variety of aircraft), and not Bell Labs that built the first Jet Pack.
Reply
Aug 9th 2007 @ 11:30PM
Trollman said...
science != technology.
Reply
Aug 16th 2007 @ 6:01PM
UZ-4-U said...
These look really interesting but I'm reminded of a video arcade game I once repaired that waits for potential players to fiddle with the joysticks and then displays:
"Coin Detected in Pocket" .
(This also reminds me of how to simulate Yachting by standing in a cold shower while tearing up $100 bills)
Seriously hope nobody gets hurt !!
Reply
Sep 22nd 2008 @ 12:24PM
kaitlyn said...
this is the sickest thing ive ever seen. hot damn
Reply