Last May, I reviewed Dr. Daniel Wilson's "Where's My Jetpack: A Guide to the Amazing Science Fiction Future that Never Arrived ". Apparently, the market heard this crie de coeur and has responded.

Gizmodo points to Jet Pack International's new marketing video (set, you'll notice, in a particularly picturesque Colorado locale) that draws attention to their new, improved, [as in 19 minutes of flying time, a 38-fold improvement over previous models] personal propulsion system. Available "early next year" for the low, low price of $226,000 (Hey, in the words given to Gus Grissom in "The Right Stuff", "No bucks, no Buck Rogers!")

Those not blinded by the Flash (Gordon) tech may recognize the picturesque Colorado locale chosen to play backdrop for our extreme commuter.

Those more familiar with Colorado geography will also note that 19 minutes of flying time at highway speed starting at this location would allow our commuter to touch down on home plate at Coors Field with fuel to spare. Given the ten-mile range quoted in the Gizmodo piece, our commuter is more likely to work at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, though.