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North Face (Or Snow Crash?) Avalanche Airbag Clothing
This Powder Guide ABS vest developed by The North Face is perfect for any occasion - well, any occasion in which high impact collisions are imminent. Front and back airbags are deployed, using an integrated nitrogen-based airbag system from German manufacturer ABS.
(Powder Guide ABS vest from The North Face)
Note that the surface area of the vest is increased when inflated, to help skiers stay on top of the snow during an avalanche.
Fans of Snow Crash, the 1992 novel by Neal Stephenson recall the airbag jacket used by Deliverators everywhere:
She lets go of the handle and goes into free fall.At the same time, she jerks the manual release on her cervical collar and goes into full Michelin Man mode as tiny gas cartridges detonate in several strategic locations around her bod. The biggest one goes off like an M-80 at the nape of her neck, unfurling the coverall's collar into a cylindrical gasbag that shoots straight up and encases her entire head...
Via NewIdea; thanks to Jason Barish for the tip on this item.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 2/9/2012)
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I might also be thinking of K-9 from Doctor Who.
