Many of you remember the Jetsons cartoon. Back then, we used to imagine that future jets would be like in that cartoon. Now, jetpacks have become reality, but in a very different form than we imagined.
Australian inventor David Mayman flew almost all over the world with his jetpacks. Jetpacks did not attract enough attention, perhaps because they were difficult to use, and this jetpack made Mayman very upset.
“They didn’t look up”
One of the main problems with jetpacks is that they have no practical use. These jetpacks, which weigh about 40 kg, should be used with a few thick protective clothing to avoid burns on your body. Not only that, but users must keep their feet in the air and very straight, or they may burn their feet.
“I took a flight around Sydney harbor a few years ago,” Mayman said in a statement. I remember flying close enough to see people and some didn’t look up. Jetpack is loud, so I swear they heard me. But I was flying there in a jetpack and they didn’t look,” he says. This was a very hurtful experience for Mayman.
The first jetpack flights were made in the 1960s.
According to JSTOR, the first jetpack flights were attempted using a so-called “rocket belt” that ejected hot gas from nozzles weighing about 136 kg. Mayman watched a pilot fly a package at the 1984 Olympics. So jetpack technology is not a new technology.
Jetpack pilot passed away
Jetpacks are notorious not only for their hot exhaust, weight and difficult handling, but also when jetpack pilot Vince Reffet died during training in 2020 when his equipment malfunctioned.
It looks like people will continue to look down until the price, practicality and security issues are resolved. We don’t know if we will be Jetsons years from now, but I think Mayman’s face will not smile for a while.
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