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The Case of the Missing Rocket Belt

Posted by michael on from the up-up-and-away dept.

Anonymous Coward writes "ABC News is running a very interesting article about the story behind those rocket belts you've seen in some movies. Apparently there are only three known to exist but one of them has gone missing leaving a trail of death and intrigue in its wake. From the article: 'One of its developers was found beaten to death in his Houston home, another is a suspect in the killing, and a third faces a possible life sentence for kidnapping the second and holding him hostage for seven days with a hood over his head.'"

5 of 122 comments (clear)

  1. Somebody explain this by Eric+Seppanen · · Score: 5, Insightful
    ...But not many people know that working rocket belts actually exist. They were developed for the Army in the late 1950s, and after the Army decided they were not suitable for military use, dedicated civilians kept a few models in operation.

    Today, three rocket belts are known to exist. Two are owned by Howard "Kinnie" Gibson, a daredevil and stuntman who acquired the patent on an essential part of the design.

    If they were invented in the late 1950s, how is it possible that some guy still has a patent on part of the design, over 40 years later?

    --
    314-15-9265
    1. Re:Somebody explain this by tinguru · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Just because a patent has expired, how does that invalidate a past-tense statement that he acquired a patent? If I buy a house, and then I lose the house because it burns down, its still valid to say that I bought a house, even though I don't have it anymore. I don't see where it says he still has patent rights today.

  2. "The case of the disagreeing business men... by Alex · · Score: 1, Insightful

    .. and the easily hyped product" more like.

    WTF is this on Slashdot for?

    Alex

  3. Wierd storing by Henry+V+.009 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So Stanley is facing life in jail because this guy Barker (a murder suspect) testified that Stanley kidnapped him? I wouldn't take Barker at his word.

  4. Article Summary by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Punishment for beating guy with hammer, beating another man to death, and stealing 10 million dollar rocket belt: probation

    Punishment for kidnapping: life in jail

    Did the first guy have Johnny Cochran??