From the steam engine to the microchip to the plasma screen, the modern age is a wonder of micro-engineering and innovation which is often driven by the books, television, and movies we enjoy. For example, War of the Worlds inspired the first rocket, built by Robert H. Goddard in 1926. Also, the communicators on the original Star Trek led to the development of cellphone technology. And so on, into the modern era, when yet another film has inspired an innovation that could change the world.
30 years ago, what began as a fun, futuristic concept in a pseudo-scientific movie about the paranormal has now come full circle. That’s right the very first working Proton Pack has arrived.
According to Sony, the first working model of an ectoplasmic containment unit will weigh about 6.66 kilograms (14.68 lbs) and incorporates the same battery-extending STAMINA mode from Sony’s Xperia smartphones (watch the video above). It also incorporates a Cyber-shot RX compact camera which can record playback immediate viewing or for real-time projection. But how does it work? Company specifications state:
“miniaturized superconducting synchrotron which accelerates injected protons from a hydrogen plasma cell. Superconducting temperatures are maintained by a liquid helium reservoir, and an active cryocooler ensures that operational time vastly exceeds that available from a cryogen dewar alone. Adaptive beam-steering technology guides the proton beam to an ergonomic wand, which doubles as a beam-halo tuning cavity to provide maximum down-range accuracy. The backpack form factor allows built-in psychokinetic grounding to the user’s spinal column, eliminating spectral noise feedback loops.”
Although likely not available to the public, the proton pack will be released on July 15, 2016. This stunning piece of technological innovation was a joint effort between Sony Corporation and “nuclear engineer and munitions expert” Dr. Jillian Holzman.” Here’s what Sony President Kazuo Hirai had to say about the development of their Proton Pack:
“The perfection of the Proton Pack™, long a dream of the world’s greatest engineers since first pioneered by Dr. Egon Spengler of Columbia University, is an example of Sony’s relentless pursuit of innovation. It absolutely delivers the wow factor that is so important to our company mission.”
Oh son of a…what day is it? April…oh, okay, Sony. You got me. That was a cute piece of Ghostbusters viral marketing launched as an April Fools’ Day gag. Still, you have to admit, if just for one second, didn’t you hope they’d actually developed a real Proton Pack? And to be honest, whether you’re looking forward to, cautiously optimistic about, or absolutely against the upcoming Ghostbusters reboot, the new tech does look pretty tight.
And to be honest, who doesn’t appreciate a good gag to open up April. One thing detractors of the upcoming film can’t argue about, though, is that director Paul Feig certainly kept everyone posted on the new look and gear from the film. And overall, the movie could really go either way. If the script contains a healthy mix of physical and intellectual comedy (let’s not kid ourselves, some of the heartiest laughs in the original film weren’t smart jokes), it could still wind up a fun addition to the Ghostbusters filmography.
Whether the Ghostbusters reboot plays out more like the first trailer or the international trailer – here’s hoping for the latter – it will still mean the first new Ghostbusters screen presence since 1989. And of course, there’s always the return of Slimer to enjoy. Even if the film doesn’t live up to expectations, which are understandably very high, there is a new animated series to look forward to.
Ghostbusters opens in theaters on July 15, 2016.
