The following link is where I started my interest in air rockets. I don't know exactly who came up with the idea of using a soda bottle as the air reservoir, but I am not surprised that they are associated with the Exploratorium. Although the Exploratorium science museum is in San Francisco, it has world-wide influence. Since its founding by Frank Oppenheimer, the Exploatorium has offered people inspired ways to connect with science and their many faceted web offerings continue the tradition.
You might find the Exploratorium version of the air rocket launcher easier to make. With the shorter tube and smoother curve, it might deliver a little stronger blast of air. I developed my version because of the way I look at safety, working as I do with groups of kids. First, I found it difficult to hold and aim the rocket while at the same time trying to stomp hard on the bottle. I can imagine a kid shooting himself point blank in the face. If another person, say an adult, holds the other end I still worry about accidents. Kids are impulsive and fast. But maybe you could incorporate failsafe safety measures. Have a look at the Exploratorium (called mathexplorer) site and decide for yourself. Don't forget to check out their clever altimeter (measures the rocket's height) while you're there.
Here is an indoor version of an air rocket! Several people have told me about this amazing German gentleman who seems to be a paper sculptor. Camille's granddad, Rhea Cole wrote this about building the rocket.
"We built three of the little rocket launchers using plain good quality jet print paper. We hit the ceiling of the kitchen, which is 10 feet! Folding the bellows takes considerable care. Small children will not be able to do this project, albeit I could have used some smaller fingers while doing it. It is really a cute little project."
Rhea Cole
And now a story about trademark law. I used to call this project "Stomp Rocket" which--as it turns out--is a trademarked toy rocket that also features an air bladder that you step on hard and fast to send a rocket soaring into the sky. I got an overnight Fed Ex envelope from a lawyer representing the manufacturer. Inside, I was requested to remove all references to the trademarked product from my web site.
I was outraged! How dare this corporate titan forbid me from using the only English word that means to step really hard on something. I wrote an indignant tirade which taunted the company, and I girded myself for battle! No lawyer was going to intimidate me from exercising my right to free speech! It would be a quixotic, selfless science enthusiast against the greedy corporation.
Then I actually talked to the layer. I was spoilin' for a fight. I braced myself for his aggressive legal threats, but I was disappointed. He was civil. He answered all my questions. He explained how trademarked products become "genericized." For example, Xerox is a brand name, but many people use the word "Xerox" to mean to mean any kind of "photocopying." Other examples of trademarked products in danger of becoming generic terms are "Scotch" tape, "Kleenex" tissues, and so on. If a company does not defend their trademark--and prove that they have-- they can lose their trademark rights. People invest in development of products and then in advertising their trademarked products. I thought about how unfair it would be if someone used some slight variation of the name of my web site. People could be misdirected to some other site. It pains me to admit it, but I concluded that I was just wrong to use that trademarked name.
This has been a great learning experience for me. It is the new things I learn every day that keep life interesting. I am an educator to the bone, and if I can pass on even some of this serendipitous knowledge--albeit only tangentially related to science--then I'm happy.
If you find that you are not yet able to muster the investment of time needed to build my design of air rocket, the commercial product strikes me as being a good toy. Kids get quite a workout and I'm sure it gets them thinking about pneumatics. It is remarkably inexpensive. So if you are not up to making your own rocket and launcher, check out this one.
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