Jet Packs Finally On Sale: How to Buy Your Rocket Belt

http://www.popularmechanics.com ^ | July 2007 | Erik Sofge

[BCrago66]

To some extent, everyone's in the market for a jet pack. But since Bell Labs built the first rocket belt (the correct, if less exciting, name) in 1953, potential buyers have been stymied by two problems: Rocket belts aren't for sale, and even prototypes run on modern-day fuel (as opposed to whatever the Jetsons use) — which means rocket belts can weigh upwards of 100 pounds, with only enough fuel to stay aloft for under a minute. Now, a pair of companies have solved one of these problems — rocket belts are for sale.

[BCrago66]

My guess is that this will become practical in 15 years or so. And it would be cool to commute to the office by docking right through the window (maybe at specially designed docking ledges or sky lobbies.) Or by simply landing on the roof of an office building. There will, no doubt, be a new category of vehicular accident, in which people with jet-packs bash against the side of buildings, the way panicked birds bash against the wall when trying to fly out of the garage.

[golas1964]

“Jane!! Stop this crazy thing!!!”

[Lost Dutchman]

Previously posted in General/Chat

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1852345/posts

[jebeier]

Popular Mechanics...

I'll stick with my safe and sane Flying Car, thank you...

[WorkingClassFilth]

I’m still waiting for my flying car, personal submarine and wrist-watch video phone.

[dhs12345]

LOL. Wonder what happens if one of these packs explodes?

[usmcobra]

Jet packs are the Segway’s of the future.

[Triggerhippie]

Mexican start-up Tecnologia Aeroespacial Mexicana (TAM) offers its custom-built TAM Rocket Belt for $250,000, which includes flight and maintenance training.

Not only NO, but HELL NO!

This may be the funniest thing I read all year!

[isthisnickcool]

Oh great! We build the damn fence between the US and Mexico and the Mexicans fly right over in their burrito powered rocket belts!

[skinkinthegrass]

I’m still waiting for my flying car, personal submarine....*SIGH* :D

[TaxPayer2000]

[small voice in the wilderness]

There will, no doubt, be a new category of vehicular accident, in which people with jet-packs bash against the side of buildings, the way panicked birds bash against the wall when trying to fly out of the garage.

Yacking it up on their cell phones just prior to the accident, no doubt.

[umgud]

I want a Dick Tracy watch too.

[NonValueAdded]

"You'll set your arse on fire" replaces "you'll put your eye out"

[CindyDawg]

Now which politician will be the first to use this as a rationale not to build a fence? “They will just rocket belt over it” A complete waste of money”

[Dumpster Baby]

I prefer to sit down myself.

[Triggerhippie]

I’m still waiting on the Bill Dana/Jose Jimenez references... :)

[golas1964]

Why would a Mexican need a rocket belt for jet propulsion? A burrito with hot sauce will do!

[CindyDawg]

I want boots like Jim had.

[BCrago66]

We pretty much have Dick Tracy watches and video-phones these days, if only we could solve the problem of battery life.