The want ad read: “ASTEROID MINERS WANTED.” With heart pounding and gears turning, I’m thinking, here it is … my passport to space travel! I like rocks. I know an awful lot about meteorites. I have been collecting, studying and giving lectures on the subject for over 20 years. This is perfect! I read on … no prior experience necessary. Yes! Must be able to leave Earth for up to 2,000 days … wait a minute? Start August 2084?
This small space (1/4 page) black and white newspaper ad is a brilliant way to drive people to Vollebak’s website. This is a company known for making specialty clothing using science and technology. And if you ski, snowboard or just enjoy the outdoors, chances are you have heard of them. By creating a fictitious company, Kuiper Belt Mining Corp, to recruit people for the first mission to Mars, they were able to introduce the Deep Sleep Cocoon jacket – latest piece of futuristic clothing in their lineup.
Vollebak’s apparel line includes 100 Year clothing that is meant to outlast you. You heard that right. Materials such as carbon fiber and ceramic are woven into the fabric, making for long-lasting clothing. On the other end of the spectrum, there’s also a Plant and Algae T Shirt that’s grown in a forest and bioreactors. When you are finished with the shirt, throw it in your garden or compost and it breaks down in just 12 weeks and becomes worm food.
My favorite: the Black Squid Jacket. This material mimics the natural, adaptive camouflage of the squid. The jacket first appears as a dull black but, as you move to brighter lighting conditions, the surface will reflect every visible light in the spectrum giving you this insane iridescence. That’s 500 million years of natural technology right there! I can say without a doubt that I am very excited about this company and what they are doing for the future of clothing. One thing is for sure… that Black Squid Jacket is in my future!
Check them out at www.kuiperbeltminingcorp.com or www.vollebak.com.
