In 2021, an Ottawa man made headlines for creating a gas-powered invention capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h. Learn more about his story at iottawa.net.
A Homemade Invention
Brydon Gibson, an Ottawa resident, tested his invention on the frozen Ottawa River, humorously referring to it as a “jetpack.”
He explained that he had a few old weed trimmer engines lying around and thought it would be fun to repurpose one for a new use. Gibson decided to strap one of the engines onto his back to make skating easier.
Not everything went smoothly—at one point, he accelerated so quickly that it startled even him.
Design Features
Brydon Gibson’s “jetpack” has several unique features:
- A 38-centimetre propeller attached to a wooden frame.
- A throttle system made from a bicycle brake lever and cable.
- Soft straps crafted from an old backpack for comfort.
During one test, Gibson sped across the Ottawa River at 40 km/h. While the device lacks brakes, it does have a power shutoff switch for emergencies.
For added safety, Gibson included several features in his latest prototype and advises having another person present when using the device. Since the propeller is strapped to the user’s back, accessing it alone is nearly impossible. Starting the device requires manually spinning the propeller, using an old-fashioned recoil starter.
Gibson’s friend, Campanaro, often assists him, saying he fully supports Brydon’s “crazy inventions.”
A Second Attempt at Innovation
This isn’t Brydon Gibson’s first homemade invention. His tinkering began during his teenage years when he built an electric motor in his parents’ basement, although it never made it to the testing phase. From a young age, he collected discarded electronics and parts from roadsides, building a home workshop in his parents’ basement.
Over the years, Gibson has created remote-controlled planes, boats, and even a homemade hovercraft. Once, he almost lost a finger while working on a project, but he has avoided any severe injuries.
Who Is Brydon Gibson?
From an early age, Brydon was obsessed with building and inventing. This passion led him to pursue a degree in computer systems engineering at Carleton University. After graduation, he joined BlackBerry QNX, a company specializing in autonomous vehicle technology.
During the pandemic, Gibson worked remotely and had extra time on his hands. Instead of meeting friends, he dedicated himself to his inventive pursuits.
Brydon’s younger sister, Jess Gibson, also tested his invention on the frozen Ottawa River. She described the experience as a unique and enjoyable activity, likening it to skating but in a much lazier way.
Even Gibson’s mother gave the invention a try, with no serious accidents reported during testing.
The public learned about Brydon Gibson’s invention after his sister posted videos of him testing it on TikTok. The footage of him racing across the ice quickly gained popularity, attracting attention to the young inventor. He even received a few remote marriage proposals from admirers among his sister’s followers.
Brydon continues to refine his invention, with plans to upgrade to a larger propeller for increased speed and thrust. He remains passionate about his work, stating that invention is his life’s purpose.