You see a lot of articles petulantly demanding, “Dude, where’s my jetpack?” or “Where’s my flying car?” It’s a bit like wanting a Formula 1 racer in which to commute, and fraught with similar problems. An F1 race car, for instance, demands incredible driving skills – that’s why most F1 drivers are incredibly well compensated. A jetpack is a very short-range machine. Strapping one on, avoiding scorch marks on your heels and zipping even a mile or two might actually take more time than walking, or hopping on a bike. From James Bond to Civilian Use James Bond’s use of a Bell Rocket Belt to escape goons in Thunderball made it look quick, easy, and a great way to find …
