Yes, Buck Rogers was indeed associated with the concept of the jetpack, which was a prominent feature in his comic strips from their early beginnings.
The idea of the "rocket belt," a personal propulsion device also widely known as a Jet Pack, appeared in the Buck Rogers comic strips as early as 1929. This innovative device was envisioned as a small unit strapped to a person's back, enabling them to fly short distances using low rocket power generated by a non-combusting gas. It allowed characters, including Buck Rogers himself, to navigate futuristic landscapes and engage in aerial maneuvers, solidifying its place as an iconic element of the science fiction genre.
The integration of such advanced personal flight technology into the Buck Rogers narrative helped popularize the concept of individual flight in popular culture. This futuristic vision has influenced countless other science fiction works and even inspired real-world attempts at developing similar personal flight devices.
For more information on the history and development of real-world rocket belts, you can explore resources like the National Air and Space Museum's collection on the Rocket Belt.
