At Chi-Fi 0 This Saturday Night: I Know Where Your Jetpack Is

[beamjockey]

There's a new con in Chicago. Chi-Fi has postponed their first full-weekend con until March 2015, but for a taste of what's to come, they've organized Chi-Fi 0, a one-day event this Saturday, 29 March, from 3 PM to 3 AM at the Palmer House Hilton downtown. Events cover science fiction, gaming, cosplay, concerts, elements of the Bristol Ren Faire, fannish diversity, and much more. They even have SMOFfing: a panel on "Con Harassment Policies: Nuts and Bolts."

And a Higgins talk. According to the schedule for Chi-Fi 0, I'm speaking Saturday night at 10:30. I thought it might be fun to tell the attendees what I know about a beloved symbol of paleofuturism.

I Know Where Your Jetpack Is: The Rise and Fall of the Bell Rocket Belt

10:30 PM
Grant Park Room

The cry "Where's my jetpack?" is often heard in the 21st century. Long ago, seen on TV, at the World's Fair, and at the Olympics, the Bell Rocket Belt delighted millions and became an icon of the Space Age. After this "jetpack," descended from X-plane technology, made its first flight in 1961, Bell Aerospace struggled and failed to find a market for it—but a handful of enthusiasts have built new rocket belts and are flying them today.

I'm looking forward to the event, and hoping it's a success. (And it's a chance to deploy my rarely-seen Livejournal rocket belt icon.) See you downtown...

Comments

[serge-lj.livejournal.com]

I live too far, alas.

[acmespaceship.livejournal.com]

Wow, this is news to me, which shows how plugged-into Chicago fandom I've been lately. I may be there. I might carry an ukulele (in the Renfaire room I'll pretend it's a small lute). I might gin up people to grab brunch at Heaven on Seven on Wabash, which is serving from 11-2 p.m. I might even check with my husband first... who thinks we have nothing going on this Saturday.

[beamjockey.livejournal.com]

I might see you Friday night. Could even be talked into brunch.

The organizers recommend a Web-based parking counselor, Spothero, for finding good deals on downtown parking.

[neowolf2.livejournal.com]

How interesting. The hours are a bit odd, though -- 3AM?

[beamjockey.livejournal.com]

I'll probably go home before that. I am, after all, old.

[stickmaker.livejournal.com]

And here I thought you were about my age...