The basic problem with skateboard is that it breaks. To solve this issue, these guys created the ultimate skateboard crafted of pure carbon fiber. Additionally, it is up-cycled from the production of modern day rockets!
An engineering student named Ryan and an entrepreneurship instructor named Greg, set out to create a win win situation to the problem of breaking skateboards. After investigating the way aerospace firms disposed of excess and scrap carbon fiber (landfills), they were determined to know if the materials were restored properly. And if they were, it would retain the incredible characteristics of original material: the solid strength and the gorgeous carbon fiber look. Another important thing was to develop a manufacturing process that was less capital and time intensive than the curing methods (ovens and autoclaves) traditionally used by aircraft and spacecraft manufacturers.
After getting opportunity to test their upcycling protocols and manufacturing process on a small scale with excess material, the scrap generated by the Rocket Propulsion Lab at the University of Southern California, Ryan designed and built a prototype hot press and began to press skate decks.
Initial results were flawed but promising. After more than a year of perfecting and iterations, they have proudly came up Aileron, the ultimate cruiser style skateboard. An aileron is the surface on the back of a wing that allows a plane to turn and maneuver.
The following year, Ryan spent designing, wiring and building a hot press to make a carbon fiber skateboard. After reaching the 121 Degrees Celsius required to cure the epoxy, the name 121C just stuck and the result: the awesome 121C Board.
Founder: Ryan Olliges is an aerospace engineering student at the Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California. He has been a member of the Rocket Lab since his freshman year and is now the lab’s Lead Composite Engineer and CFO. Ryan’s environmental interest inspired his Eagle Scout project which established a rain garden that utilized filtered runoff water from the public works building in Lake Stevens, Washington.
Co-Founder: Greg Autry, MBA, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Entrepreneurship with the Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Marshall School of Business, USC. His research context is the emerging New Space industry. Greg is a serial entrepreneur and is active in supporting American manufacturing.
Industry Expert and Spokesperson: Michael López-Alegría is a former Naval aviator and one of America’s most experienced astronauts. He flew on Space Shuttle missions STS-73, STS-92, and STS-113, as well as on the Russian Soyuz TMA-9. Mike also served as International Space Station commander. He holds several NASA records including longest spaceflight (215 days), most Extravehicular Activities (EVA) or “space walks” (10) and cumulative EVA time (67 hours 40 minutes). He formerly served as President of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation. As a product spokesperson and industry liaison, Mike’s achievements inspire the whole 121C team to reach for the stars.
The retail price is estimated to be $275. But since it is super robust, it is well worth it. For more details, go to 121Cboards.com
Source: 121C Boards