When I was a kid, I discovered that I could brace my arms and legs against a door frame and then “climb” to the top. My family called it my “spider-man” trick for lack of a better word.
I never perfected my “spider-man” trick as good as 13-year-old Hibiki Kono. Kono has managed to take two 1,400 watt vacuum cleaners and make it so they really suck up against a wall. The end result is a super suit that is a little Iron Man and Spider-man at the same time.
Kono’s method bears a strong resemblance to these gloves that we reported on a while ago that allow the user to climb walls. It was a demonstration for a BBC science show called Bang Goes the Theory.
Yes, he can climb walls, and I’m guessing that his parents probably don’t let him climb very high ones. I suppose that he’ll probably be working on a way to make it so he can spin web-lines and swing from building to building.
I believe this boy already has a super-hero name of Spiderlad. I hope that he comes to understand that “with great power, comes great technology”. And the Spider-man jokes just keep coming.
Perhaps Kono’s apparatus should be mass produced, and made so kids can try this everywhere. Something tells me that OSHA and other parent’s groups will want there to be mattresses and harnesses so playing Spider-man will be “safe”.
Superhero ... pals look on
The lad, who attends King's College School in Cambridge, said: "I used to dress up as Spiderman when I was younger and I love all the films.
"So it's great to be able to climb walls like him. I've climbed up the school wall but I'm not allowed too high.
"It's not scary and I completely trust the machine."
Spidey fan ... Hibiki
His design technology teacher Angus Gent said: "I'm hugely proud of him.
"When he came to me with the idea at the beginning I had my doubts - but once he proved it could be done I encouraged him.
"He developed it himself, which is amazing for someone of his age."
Headmaster Nick Robinson added: "We're thrilled with his hard work. He went up a wall for assembly and it was amazing."
But some walls are off bounds. Hibiki said: "My mum thinks it's brilliant. But she won't let me use it in my bedroom as she's worried I may pull down the ceiling."
