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99% Invisible

Rocket Man

May 14, 2024
40:20
Snipd AI
Explore the history and mystery of jetpacks, from childhood memories to military innovation during the Cold War. Learn about the challenges of rocket belt development and the rise and fall of the program. Delve into the enduring fascination with jetpacks and debunking hoaxes, all while reflecting on the impact of excitement on critical thinking.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Despite early success, practical limitations and military focus led to the decline of jetpacks in mainstream use.
  • The allure of jetpacks clouds rational thinking, fueling misconceptions and exaggerated beliefs in their origins and capabilities.

Deep dives

The Enigmatic Quest for the Jetpack

In this podcast episode, Chris Brube embarks on a curious quest to unravel the mystery of the jetpack. The journey begins with a personal account of a childhood fascination with jetpack stories told by parents. Chris delves into the history of jetpacks, revealing the development of rocket belts by American scientists in the 1960s and their initial success. Despite early promise, the practical limitations and military focus ultimately led to the decline of jetpacks in mainstream use.

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