It's pretty straightforward, really. You just need a leaf blower, a tarp and a board. It takes some work, but it looks pretty doable. And the results look totally awesome. You might not be able to outrun Biff and his gang, but you'd still impress everyone hanging out in front of the old clock tower. I want one. [Jason Bradbury, Wonder How To via The Daily What]

957. Michael J. Fox “Marty Mcfly” hero Mattel hoverboard from Back to the Future Part II & Part III. (Universal Pictures, 1989, 1990) This is one of the hero Mattel Hoverboards used by Michael J. Fox in his most famous role as “Marty McFly” in the Robert Zemeckis classic 80s trilogy, Back to the Future. Two styles of Hoverboard were made for and employed in the film – lightweight boards of styrofoam construction and thick and durable wood-based props – this example is the latter, and is recognized as the best example of all wood Hoverboards to have survived the rigors of filming. The illusion of Michael J. Fox as “Marty McFly” hovering through the air was achieved with practical effects, with actors in rigged harnesses being “flown” via cranes, with special effects taking care of the rest.

Of the two styles of props used in the film, the styrofoam examples in collections today have not held up as well, given the more fragile nature of the material and the abuse they endured in production. Few wood examples have survived, and the collector who obtained this specimen from the prop master chose this for his personal collection as the premiere example of those preserved following the film. It is in used but outstanding condition, and is very rare in that it is entirely complete and intact. Given the wood build and use of metal components, it looks and feels like a “real” prop. This piece has the complete fully functional and rear ballbearing-mounted footpad that rotates 360 degrees, as well as the bottom “magnet plates”. Of the two styles of stickers used for the effects, this prop has the “photoboard”-style sticker affixed. In addition, there is other textured styling and hand painting. This Hoverboard also features the hole in the top, representing where the handlebars were that “Marty” pulled off after borrowing the “toy” from the little girl in the film. $30000 - $50000

Seriously, I know Back to Future forwards and backwards after seeing it too many times to count, but paying $30,000 to $50,000 for this, which is not even one of a kind? I mean, if it were Marilyn Monroe's used underpants I would understand, but a piece of wood that doesn't fly? What kind of crazy-bordering-the-retarded fanboy would actually waste such an stupidly high amount of money in a pink non-flying Mattel hoverboard?

OK, I admit it. I don't have the money. [eBay Live Auctions — Thanks Michael]

There aren't a lot of bargains, as you might expect. Top-shelf merchandise like this is expected to fetch big collector prices. But the catalog is almost too good to be true—check out 34 highlights in the gallery below, and a few extra special favorites here:

Forget any exercise you could possible think of—it won't come close to the strength of using Bruce Lee's own actual forearm strengthener. Possibly some Dragon sweat still on it.

No, It doesn't hover but I couldn't give less of a damn. If I can't have the shoes, I want this. Too bad it's expected to fetch $30-$50k.

I love scotch. But I'm pretty certain I would love it even more if I was drinking it out of this ultra-dystopian Blade Runner tumbler. Plus this one's one of the few sub-$1,000 items.

Just one of the countless things the originals have on Lucas's new films, the costumes in the original Star Wars were incredible. Especially the Imperial dudes—stylish in only the way a space fascist can be.

More highlights from this incredible trove, including C3PO's feet, Ahnold's sawed-off from T2, the rabbit mask from Donnie Darko and more:

[Profiles in History Auction House via Tech Digest]

The Hoverboard (second picture) will not only keep you aloft a sweet three inches above the ground it will also burn a $9000 hole in your face, or anywhere else you keep your cash. The board can support a 250lb fat ass, up to a maximum speed of 20mph. Control is handled via a wired remote that handles rudder position, (for turning), and speed, (for fun).

An acceptable alternative, the Airboard will make you look like you are cruising on a vehicle from Wipeout. Unlike the lawnmower looking Hoverboard, general control here is achieved by weight transfer. Leaning back will make you go faster, whilst starting, stopping and turning are all also managed by throwing your mass about appropriately, much like on a skateboard. Purchase information is only available by contacting the manufacturer directly, at alura75413@aol.com.

While Adam waits for the real deal, we are hoping for a couple of review units, so we can sneak off to the half-pipe with that camera Apple sent us and make some completely ill movies of us pulling PHAT air board manoeuvres. We will then upload the said video to YouTube with that wicked Skater8oi track by Avril Lavigne. Adam will surly feel left out and cry like a sissy and we will look so enviably cool. Who are we kidding? Adam looks cooler standing still in a stripy t-shirt then we ever could flying about. Gosh, we do miss him on the weekend *sniff*. [Airboard, Hoverboard via Cool Hunting]

So we assembled a list of 10 technologies that we should have ironed out by now, but instead either never showed up, or were only completed in some half-assed, UMPC way. This gallery should need no explanation (except in one instance where only the liger fans in the group will feel our pain).

And when your eyes dry, hit the comments with your own favorite, elusive gadgets.



– Mark Wilson