In this Smithsonian overview, makers and operators point out that they are technically rocket belts, not jet packs. Lots of great vintage footage, including a clunky pre-GoPro helmet cam.
Includes a great interview with test pilot Bill Suitor, who flew over a thousand flights from 1964 to 2012 using a Bell Rocket Belt, one of which is in the Smithsonian collection.
The full episode is scheduled to air next on 15 July.
• Incredible Flying Jet Packs (Smithsonian Channel)
I'm no futurist but I think I've spotted the future of beverage-dispensing devices. Marin County Fair vendor Phil's Lemonade is selling lemonade-filled (philled?) jetpacks for $19.99 a pop. Phil'er up!… READ THE REST
On Saturday, Franky Zapata took his prototype Flyboard Air hoverboard for a rather impressive flight, three miles on the French coast. It's based on Zapata's previous water-powered hoverboard. When the… READ THE REST
For decades, engineer Nelson Tyler has kept the jetpack dream alive, most recently with the company Jetpack Aviation. Above, video of the company's CEO David Mayman flying the latest model,… READ THE REST
Dessert cheesecake wafer bear claw fruitcake. Fruitcake chupa chups donut candy canes marzipan. Apple pie sweet roll tart chocolate cake macaroon marshmallow carrot cake gummi bears sweet. Pastry sugar plum… READ THE REST
We all know vital information about ourselves and our private digital accounts can be compromised by cybercriminals. However, many would be frightened to know just how compromised they and their… READ THE REST
While mosquitoes have certainly earned their title as the deadliest animal on earth, their impact on most of our lives is usually a lot less consequential. But even though they… READ THE REST
