To talk to Ky Michaelson is to realize that there is no product of human endeavor that can't be vastly improved by the addition of a rocket motor. Just ask his son, eight year old Buddy Rocketman Michaelson. If Ky has his way, he'll soon attach a rocket to the lad and launch him, making Buddy the youngest rocketbelt pilot in the world. Buddy will be the next wunderkind in a long line of wunderkinder. The Michaelson family holds so many patents that Ky can't remember them all.
Ky has already built rocketbelts for himself and Mrs. Michaelson. When he finishes Buddy's jetpack the whole family will be able to literally drop in on you at a moment's notice. I bet they will make the best entrance to the annual family picnic ever! And if the Jetsons fail to impress, Ky can always ride in on his rocket-powered toilet-- a highly chromed prison model that can reach 150 MPH. Bring your own toilet paper and seat belts.
And if piloting that thing doesn't earn you a little respect, how about being the first civilian to launch a rocket into space, or one of Hollywood's greatest stuntmen with a thirty year career in movies? Ky has done all that and lived to tell (and write) the Tale. Look for two books detailing his amazing life story to hit the shelves soon, one of which is slated to become a major motion picture.
Ky spoke with me by phone yesterday. Check out the full interview here.
Be sure to check out Ky's web page and see some of his amazing projects.
Take a look at this great video news feature on Ky.
If this whets your appetite for rocket-age adventure, check out some other interviews I've done:
Buzz Aldrin, Apollo XI astronaut.
Where do I get one?!? Flying free like a bird has been the dreams of all little boys. Even those that take a little longer to grow up.
~Bear
Posted by: Bear | August 25, 2007 at 01:05 AM