Jetpack Skates!

Antonio Pirrello's gasoline-powered roller skates. Made by Antonio Pirrello in 1956, these skates feature a 19-pound gasoline motor that is worn like a backpack. The gas connects to the right skate to push while the skater holds his left foot out in front to steer. A second cable connects to the hand-held clutch to regulate speed: quite a lot of speed. These skates can roll at up to 40 miles-per-hour! Mr. Pirrello and his motorized skates were featured in the magazines Life and Popular Mechanics and were guests on You Asked for It and The Today Show.