Annals Of Invention–Jet-Man: I can’t believe I almost missed this guy. But thanks to the vigilant Aussies at Gizmo.com, TWC can tell the world (okay, a very, very small segment of the world) that there is a Swiss daredevil named Yves Rossy who likes to jump out of airplanes with carbon-fiber wings strapped to his back. In fact, Rossy caused a bit of a stir last year when he managed to glide 12 kilometers after jumping from an altitude of just 3,000 meters. Okay, that’s not too extraordinary, even if he did go a long way. Lots of people strap sh*t to their backs and jump out of airplanes, or glide hither and yon. Well Rossy this year went a step–a big step–further. Not content with lameass gliding he, umm, attached two kerosene fueled jets to his wings. Then he went up in a plane last June, and jumped out at 4,000 meters. He glided into a stable–which is to say he was pointed in the right direction–horizontal position. And at 2500 meters he lit the candle(s), as they like to say in test pilot-speak. Yes, he torched off two powerful engines strapped to his back. Like Buzz Lightyear. Or George Jetson. And, believe it or not, it worked. Rossy rocketed along at 100 knots for four minutes. He only stopped when he ran into turbulence and decided he’d rather land in the Guinness Book Of World Records than in a casket, so he cut the engines off and parachuted to the ground. Just in case you don’t believe me, click here for a great video of the whole crazy flight. Segway, move over. Personal zeppelins and subs, make room. This thing is hereby inducted in to the Wetass Invention Hall Of Fame. Can’t wait to see people jetting their way to work above jammed freeways, or drag racing across continents. That is, as long as the CIA doesn’t get their mitts on it first…



Rocketman Rossy: “This is awesome. Altitude: 1000 meters. Speed: 100 knots. Temperature of my ass: 150 degrees…”