Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
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Balloon Backpack

 Weeee!!!
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A backpack which contains two helium containers intended for flight. The first container inflates a balloon contained in the upper half of the backpack. The second is used for steering via air emission out of 1 of 2 backward facing tubes coming out of the sides of the backpack. If a balloon backpacker is on course both tubes can be used for a speed boost.

The backpack is operated by a remote with 6 buttons; fast inflate, inflate, boost, left, right, deflate. When the user is short on compressed air the backpack will commence a landing sequence based on an altitude/air/weight formula, this same formula will prohibit unsafe altitudes. The backpack's helium canisters can be refilled wherever balloons are sold. Extra straps keep the backpack on.

Intended for recreational use.

Edit: Helium rather than compressed air.

—Mr Buttersworth, Jan 12 2007

Wikipedia: Cluster ballooning http://en.wikipedia.../Cluster_ballooning
The Larry Walters-style lawn chair flying thing, slightly different from the single balloon in this idea. But the picture gives you an idea of the volume of helium needed! [jutta, Jan 13 2007]

Mythbusters: Adam Savage, 7000 balloons http://dsc.discover...oon/balloon_09.html
On the occasion of a stunt for the David Letterman show. (At the same appearance, they suspended their co-guest, actor Paul Newman.) [jutta, Jan 13 2007]

[link]






       This is the perfect mode of transport to get me to school quickly... How long will it take for you to manufacture one of these?
—deoxyribonucleic, Jan 12 2007
   

       Maybe a month or two. :-)
—Mr Buttersworth, Jan 12 2007
   

       Put me down for one.. Cash is in the post.. Maybe two actually..
—deoxyribonucleic, Jan 12 2007
   

       if i remember correctly, those zany guys on mythbusters tried to lift a 40 pound child using helium filled balloons. their first estimates were that 2,000 balloons were needed, it turned out they needed 3 or 4 thousand. although Larry Walters guy did it using weather balloons...   

       Edited, thanks jutta.
—boogalooShrimp, Jan 13 2007
   
      
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