The Martin Jetpack, like the three rocket belts before it, took off this month in a surge headlines. Could the new battle finally spell takeoff for this futuristic industry—or just more prolonged promises?

From jet engines to flotation devices, these bikes are the fastest life on two wheels without a motorcycle license. Each inventor shared their secrets for your own weekend project, but try this at home only after taking serious precautions.

It’s the megaengineered geek machine everyone loves to hate. But with prices soaring at the pump, Segway sales are up at least 25 percent—and counting. Could personal transporters save gas and stop WMDs?

Out of service for 40 years, the SS United States still holds speed records. But what fate awaits this storied piece of naval history? (Published in the June 2008 issue)

American infrastructure is in trouble, from collapsed bridges to leaking dams. In a yearlong investigation, Popular Mechanics uncovered the fresh ideas, smart engineering and new technology we need to fix it. Here’s the plan. (Published in the May 2008 issue)