The Rise and Fall of the American Rocket Belt Corporation and the Enigma of the RB-2000
The story of the American Rocket Belt Corporation (ARBC) and its flagship invention, the RB-2000 Rocket Belt, is one of ambition, innovation, and human drama. This saga encapsulates both the allure and the challenges of personal flight technology, revealing how dreams of jetpacks can collide with the realities of technical and personal conflict.
The Founding of ARBC
In 1992, Brad Barker and Thomas Laurence “Larry” Stanley III co-founded the American Rocket Belt Corporation with a shared vision of transforming personal transportation. Their goal was to develop and commercialize a rocket-powered jetpack, a dream first realized in prototype form by Bell Aerosystems in the 1960s. The ARBC sought to improve on these early designs with the RB-2000, a device that promised greater efficiency, safety, and usability.
The RB-2000: A Technical Marvel
The RB-2000 Rocket Belt represented a significant advancement in jetpack technology. Constructed using lightweight alloys like titanium and aluminum, as well as composite materials, it was designed for durability and reduced weight. It used hydrogen peroxide as its primary fuel, with a propulsion system that converted the liquid into superheated steam for thrust. This innovative design allowed the RB-2000 to achieve a flight duration of up to 30 seconds—50% longer than its predecessors.
The RB-2000 made its first public flight in 1995, piloted by experienced operator Bill Suitor, showcasing its capabilities in a dramatic 28-second flight over the Houston Ship Channel. This demonstration hinted at the potential for practical applications of jetpack technology, from military use to entertainment.
ARBC’s Tumultuous History
Despite its technical promise, ARBC’s story was marred by internal disputes, legal battles, and criminal acts. The co-founders’ relationship deteriorated over disagreements about financial management and the future of the RB-2000. By 1999, Larry Stanley sued Brad Barker, accusing him of fraud and misappropriation of the RB-2000. A court ruled in Stanley’s favor, awarding him damages and granting him ownership of the rocket belt, but Barker refused to return the device.
The conflict escalated in 2000 when Stanley orchestrated Barker’s kidnapping, holding him captive for eight days in a desperate bid to recover the RB-2000. Barker escaped, and Stanley was convicted of kidnapping and extortion, receiving a life sentence later reduced to eight years.
The Unsolved Mystery of Joe Wright
The ARBC saga took an even darker turn with the murder of Joe Wright, a Houston businessman and 5% stakeholder in the company. In 1998, just days before a critical court trial involving ARBC, Wright was found beaten to death in his home. The crime remains unsolved, and while Barker was initially arrested as a suspect, there was insufficient evidence to charge him. Wright’s murder added a layer of tragedy and mystery to the company’s already turbulent history.
The Passing of Larry Stanley
Thomas Laurence “Larry” Stanley III passed away on June 13, 2022, at the age of 77. According to his obituary, Stanley was remembered as a devoted family man and a passionate innovator. His role in ARBC’s rise and fall remains a complex legacy, marked by both his contributions to the field of personal flight and his involvement in the controversies that led to the company’s collapse.
Legacy of the RB-2000 and ARBC
The RB-2000 rocket belt remains missing, a fitting metaphor for ARBC’s unfulfilled ambitions. While the company’s internal conflicts and legal troubles prevented the commercialization of the RB-2000, its development showcased the possibilities of jetpack technology and inspired further advancements in the field.
The story of ARBC is a cautionary tale of the challenges inherent in turning visionary ideas into reality. It also serves as a testament to the enduring human fascination with personal flight—a dream that continues to drive innovation and captivate imaginations. For enthusiasts and historians, the saga of ARBC and the RB-2000 is both a poignant reminder of ambition’s costs and an inspiring chapter in the history of jetpacks.