It’s a bird; it’s a plane; it’s Marty McFly’s hoverboard? What was once thought of as just a science fiction invention from Back to the Future might now actually be coming to life!
Inventors Jill and Greg Henderson recently released an invention prototype for a fully-working hoverboard. Just in case you need a refresher, the hoverboard was the levitating device that was used by Marty McFly in the 1989 hit movie, Back to the Future II.
What does it take to recreate this invention? For starters, it took the Henderson’s entire life savings to invent the Hendo Hoverboard, which is named after its inventors.
Although there have been countless attempts to recreate this invention, the Henderson’s prototype might be the closest to the invention that we’ve ever seen.
The key word in the last paragraph is closest. Because, unlike Marty McFly’s adventures on his hoverboard that had him flying through crowded streets and over water, right now, this invention can only be used over a non-ferrous metal surface.
Despite that catch, you may still be wondering, “What’s it like to ride on the Hendo Hoverboard?” Well, one writer noted that it was like, “Standing on a giant air hockey puck hovering three quarters of an inch above the ground.”
Speaking of inventions that hover, Inventionland has one of our own- the Hover Creeper. This invention is a great alternative to the traditional automotive creepers that can get stuck in floor cracks and much more!
But, back to the Hendo Hoverboard, as of late, this functioning prototype runs for seven minutes before the batteries die. And, as we always say, with every invention, there’s always room for improvement; but, as it stands, this invention has found a better way to get back to the future!
Check out the Hendo Hoverboard in action:
Copyright Inventionland, 2014
Sources:
https://mashable.com/2014/10/21/kickstarter-hendo-hoverboard/
Media:
https://content.science20.com/files/images/back_to_the_future_ii_hoverboard.png
