99% Invisible
Rocket Man
May 14, 2024
Chris Berube, a producer known for his deep dives into design and culture, brings fascinating insights into the world of jetpacks. The conversation explores the dream and reality of personal flight, tracing the jetpack's rise and fall from Cold War military aspirations to its cultural significance in cartoons and public demonstrations. Berube shares anecdotes about the challenges and thrills of early jetpack technology, and the eventual decline in public interest despite advancements, revealing the paradox of human curiosity and innovation.
40:20
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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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