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Taking on Gravity: A Guide to Inventing the Impossible from the Man Who Learned to Fly
An entertaining and inspiring guide to innovation from ‘Real-Life Iron Man’, Richard Browning, inventor of the world’s first jet-powered flying suit.
**As seen on Top Gear **
'Richard Browning is a real-life Tony Stark.' - Wired
For fans of Adrian Newey, Guy Martin and Chris Hadfield, in Taking on Gravity inventor Richard Browning tells the inspiring story behind his iconic jet suit, and shares his creative principles for generating true innovation.
From Icarus to Iron Man, the dream of human flight has always inspired and challenged us. Now, with his pioneering jet suit, Richard Browning has redefined what is possible.
Richard Browning's story is one of groundbreaking innovation. Building an aviation business from his garage, he has invented a whole new form of personal flight - a fantasy previously reserved for the pages of science fiction. His iconic jet suit has captured the imaginations of millions around the world, triggered ongoing developments in technology and engineering, and inspired a new generation of creative minds to pursue their dreams.
In Taking on Gravity , Browning reveals the creative principles of his multimillion-dollar company, Gravity Industries, and shows us how grass-roots innovation can disrupt established industries in exciting and unexpected ways. On this journey into the sky we'll experience what it's like to take flight, to test the limits of the human body, and to convert moonshot ideas into tangible results.
The Gravity story is an inspiring example of human creativity and our ceaseless desire to push the boundaries of what is possible. Where we go next is up to you.
**As seen on Top Gear **
'Richard Browning is a real-life Tony Stark.' - Wired
For fans of Adrian Newey, Guy Martin and Chris Hadfield, in Taking on Gravity inventor Richard Browning tells the inspiring story behind his iconic jet suit, and shares his creative principles for generating true innovation.
From Icarus to Iron Man, the dream of human flight has always inspired and challenged us. Now, with his pioneering jet suit, Richard Browning has redefined what is possible.
Richard Browning's story is one of groundbreaking innovation. Building an aviation business from his garage, he has invented a whole new form of personal flight - a fantasy previously reserved for the pages of science fiction. His iconic jet suit has captured the imaginations of millions around the world, triggered ongoing developments in technology and engineering, and inspired a new generation of creative minds to pursue their dreams.
In Taking on Gravity , Browning reveals the creative principles of his multimillion-dollar company, Gravity Industries, and shows us how grass-roots innovation can disrupt established industries in exciting and unexpected ways. On this journey into the sky we'll experience what it's like to take flight, to test the limits of the human body, and to convert moonshot ideas into tangible results.
The Gravity story is an inspiring example of human creativity and our ceaseless desire to push the boundaries of what is possible. Where we go next is up to you.
- GenresScience
256 pages, Paperback
Published May 23, 2023
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103 people want to read
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December 7, 2021Along with handstand dips and muscle-ups, I was learning how to hold my arms in two gymnastics rings, before suspending my rigid form in a horizontal position, my body held in place with muscular strength alone, a feat gymnasts call the Maltese Cross – not that mine was anywhere near the technical proficiency of a proper gymnast. I later learned how to ‘roll up’ from a crouched position into a handstand and perform planche planks, a tricky position where a person’s vertically straightened arms hold the body parallel to the ground like a suspended press-up. At times the effort was excruciating, but I usually managed to tap into a well of inspiration. It struck me during those intense sessions
What if I linked up the weak arm and chest muscles with the stronger muscles of the back and legs, giving me sufficient power to be able to deflect a man-made, replicated wing system?
At first I was disheartened. Animal Dynamics was a ‘spin-out’ industry from Oxford University and was sitting on a pile of resources, both in human and financial terms.
sandbox in which I wanted to play
power, weight and fuel consumption. If an engine requires a person’s bodyweight in fuel to get off the ground, the whole concept is flawed from the outset
Its intensity the sort that provokes a deep-rooted primal sense of fear.
My expectations had been exceeded. This innocent 1.5 kilo biscuit-tin-sized cylinder, when awoken, was capable of opening the gates of hell.
Throughout my life, I’ve adopted the attitude that actions speak louder than words.
Working with haste while producing tangible results, rather than relying on imagined outcomes, created a sense of momentum, encouraging me during those times when it might have been easy to become distracted, or lose focus.
Once we’ve paid the bills and made enough money to feed ourselves and our families we’re driven to do other stuff because it’s entertaining, exciting and cool – it’s ludicrous and fun. Bungee jumping – what’s the point? Love Island – what’s the point? Shoot-’em-up video games – what’s the point? When it comes to amusing ourselves we’re happy to waste our time in the pursuit of release and relaxation, but when a similarly minded project revolves around science, technology or engineering, that same spirit is often mired in scorn and derision. People ask, ‘Couldn’t you invest your time and money creating something more worthwhile?’
With a full tank, everything weighs around 35 kilos, which isn’t too dissimilar to the weight carried by Royal Marines
Still very compact for something with more power than an F1 car
The lighter the fuel tanks became, the more I’d have to vector my arms out to the sides in order to shed thrust. That meant I sometimes ended up in a crucifix position towards the end of a flight, my arms almost level with the shoulders as I held out 6 kilos of micro jet turbine on each side
Currently, the speed is measured by GPS data on an Android phone strapped to my leg that then feeds the heads-up display. It’s not the most accurate thing in the world, but it’s a good indication, and it’s an app we’ve had specially designed. Android phones are lightweight, with a big screen and a very long battery life; they are relatively cheap and use a language that is simple to code and process.
I started out buying 300-litre drums of paraffin, but now we use proper Jet A-1 aviation fuel of the type used in civilian and military jets, which is actually pretty benign and hard to ignite. When it does, there’s a very lazy flame, the kind you might see on a Christmas pudding or flaming Sambuca, which slowly builds to give off an intense heat.
We also make sure to fly wearing flame-resistant Nomex or merino wool underlayers, avoiding most synthetic materials that could easily burn or melt should things go wrong.
Take the magpie approach to research and development. Don’t spend silly money and time commissioning perfection. Instead, find something that does the job just as well, or at least 70 per cent as effectively, and then road-test it. Learn, adapt and then settle on what is worth pursuing before you order a custom-built version.
This neutral presentation is effective because when an eyewitness applies imagination to a technological leap such as a jet suit, they own that leap. They later describe it in excited terms to the people they talk to, because they’ve added a personal idea to something they have witnessed. In effect, they sell the idea to other people, not me. When launching a new idea or concept, it sometimes works not to force its purpose down the throats of others. Let them imagine thepossibilities of a new idea and take emotional ownership of its potential.
Hollywood has been an excellent source of new ideas. The flip phone (Star Trek) and driverless car (Total Recall) were originally conceived in film and TV before they were designed for real.
‘If you’re not doing what you love, then you’re the crazy one.’
Theoretically, one day in a fit of pique I might think, ‘Oh, sod it, let’s just go to a thousand feet. But I know that’s never going to happen. There is literally no upside. Our displays are best viewed when I am low.
after I’d executed a successful flight, Angelo seemed keen to get to know me better. ‘It would be great to catch up and talk about the suit some time,’ he said. It was a suggestion I’d heard countless times previously from various individuals, and one that rarely generated a follow-up conversation. A lot of the time people gave me their details and then failed to deliver on what they had proposed or volunteered, so my expectations were set relatively low. I think we exchanged details but both dived back into our busy lives and neglected to follow up.
Despite the physical risks associated with flying a jet suit, I rarely spend time thinking about crashing because I take so much care with regard to pre-flight checks and watching my speed and altitude during flights; I tend to check and then recheck the jet suit over and over in the build-up to a performance. I regard my particular mode of transport as being not too dissimilar to riding a motorbike in terms of the dangers involved; I’d imagine with snowboarding and skiing there’s a higher chance of serious injury.
What if I linked up the weak arm and chest muscles with the stronger muscles of the back and legs, giving me sufficient power to be able to deflect a man-made, replicated wing system?
At first I was disheartened. Animal Dynamics was a ‘spin-out’ industry from Oxford University and was sitting on a pile of resources, both in human and financial terms.
sandbox in which I wanted to play
power, weight and fuel consumption. If an engine requires a person’s bodyweight in fuel to get off the ground, the whole concept is flawed from the outset
Its intensity the sort that provokes a deep-rooted primal sense of fear.
My expectations had been exceeded. This innocent 1.5 kilo biscuit-tin-sized cylinder, when awoken, was capable of opening the gates of hell.
Throughout my life, I’ve adopted the attitude that actions speak louder than words.
Working with haste while producing tangible results, rather than relying on imagined outcomes, created a sense of momentum, encouraging me during those times when it might have been easy to become distracted, or lose focus.
Once we’ve paid the bills and made enough money to feed ourselves and our families we’re driven to do other stuff because it’s entertaining, exciting and cool – it’s ludicrous and fun. Bungee jumping – what’s the point? Love Island – what’s the point? Shoot-’em-up video games – what’s the point? When it comes to amusing ourselves we’re happy to waste our time in the pursuit of release and relaxation, but when a similarly minded project revolves around science, technology or engineering, that same spirit is often mired in scorn and derision. People ask, ‘Couldn’t you invest your time and money creating something more worthwhile?’
With a full tank, everything weighs around 35 kilos, which isn’t too dissimilar to the weight carried by Royal Marines
Still very compact for something with more power than an F1 car
The lighter the fuel tanks became, the more I’d have to vector my arms out to the sides in order to shed thrust. That meant I sometimes ended up in a crucifix position towards the end of a flight, my arms almost level with the shoulders as I held out 6 kilos of micro jet turbine on each side
Currently, the speed is measured by GPS data on an Android phone strapped to my leg that then feeds the heads-up display. It’s not the most accurate thing in the world, but it’s a good indication, and it’s an app we’ve had specially designed. Android phones are lightweight, with a big screen and a very long battery life; they are relatively cheap and use a language that is simple to code and process.
I started out buying 300-litre drums of paraffin, but now we use proper Jet A-1 aviation fuel of the type used in civilian and military jets, which is actually pretty benign and hard to ignite. When it does, there’s a very lazy flame, the kind you might see on a Christmas pudding or flaming Sambuca, which slowly builds to give off an intense heat.
We also make sure to fly wearing flame-resistant Nomex or merino wool underlayers, avoiding most synthetic materials that could easily burn or melt should things go wrong.
Take the magpie approach to research and development. Don’t spend silly money and time commissioning perfection. Instead, find something that does the job just as well, or at least 70 per cent as effectively, and then road-test it. Learn, adapt and then settle on what is worth pursuing before you order a custom-built version.
This neutral presentation is effective because when an eyewitness applies imagination to a technological leap such as a jet suit, they own that leap. They later describe it in excited terms to the people they talk to, because they’ve added a personal idea to something they have witnessed. In effect, they sell the idea to other people, not me. When launching a new idea or concept, it sometimes works not to force its purpose down the throats of others. Let them imagine thepossibilities of a new idea and take emotional ownership of its potential.
Hollywood has been an excellent source of new ideas. The flip phone (Star Trek) and driverless car (Total Recall) were originally conceived in film and TV before they were designed for real.
‘If you’re not doing what you love, then you’re the crazy one.’
Theoretically, one day in a fit of pique I might think, ‘Oh, sod it, let’s just go to a thousand feet. But I know that’s never going to happen. There is literally no upside. Our displays are best viewed when I am low.
after I’d executed a successful flight, Angelo seemed keen to get to know me better. ‘It would be great to catch up and talk about the suit some time,’ he said. It was a suggestion I’d heard countless times previously from various individuals, and one that rarely generated a follow-up conversation. A lot of the time people gave me their details and then failed to deliver on what they had proposed or volunteered, so my expectations were set relatively low. I think we exchanged details but both dived back into our busy lives and neglected to follow up.
Despite the physical risks associated with flying a jet suit, I rarely spend time thinking about crashing because I take so much care with regard to pre-flight checks and watching my speed and altitude during flights; I tend to check and then recheck the jet suit over and over in the build-up to a performance. I regard my particular mode of transport as being not too dissimilar to riding a motorbike in terms of the dangers involved; I’d imagine with snowboarding and skiing there’s a higher chance of serious injury.
May 12, 2021
Audiobook read by the author. He should totally ditch the the whole suit thing and become a professional voice actor I could listen to him all day. But seriously, loved this book. I've wanted a jet suit for ages - love my Harley but still .... while Richard Browning now has all the marks of an inventor/ innovator he didn't start there. I appreciate that he went back through history, looking at other innovators to find the formula that worked. So many people have this great idea and they put money and effort in wrong. Sure the jet suit is awesome, but he totally did it smart and made sure not to get in over his head financially. Yes he started with a decent income but that isn't always required. For starters I totally recommend this book to anyone interested in the jet suit - no brainer - and anyone thinking about taking a new product to market or interested in the innovation process. I think Richard totally nailed it and if you follow his path it might just work for you too. Now where's that "buy now" button ......
June 10, 2023
"Afterburner in the veins" is so far over the top hyperbole. If I knew for sure that this was ghostwritten, I would give it a 2. A guide to inventing the impossible? All props to the author as he is making the dream happen, but for the most part it is a guide to his life and what is essentially his traveling circus and performance anxiety.
I have been following jet pack advancements since the first video hit the internet, and his creation is certainly impressive and exciting and I would love to give one a go, but this book... is just a book.
I have been following jet pack advancements since the first video hit the internet, and his creation is certainly impressive and exciting and I would love to give one a go, but this book... is just a book.
February 15, 2022
A fascinating insight into the journey of a man determined to innovate and fulfil a Fathers dream of human flight. A great book for entrepreneurs and innovators, or anyone seeking to challenge the status quo.
Plenty of tips and take-aways to provide inspiration for others focussed on creating and innovating.
Plenty of tips and take-aways to provide inspiration for others focussed on creating and innovating.
June 17, 2021
It's a nice journey from author's childhood to how he came up with the product. Author tries to self promote himself a lot rather than talking about actual technology.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews