I have some news that might be kind of hard to hear: you are never going to become Spider-Man. Radioactive spiders don't exist, humans can't naturally stick to walls with their hands and feet, and a person trying to swing from a skyscraper with "webbing" would probably rip their arms right out of their sockets. But while some of the most important aspects of the character are really unattainable in our universe, the same cannot be said about all of the characteristics. Take, for example, the work being by German craftsman Patrick Priebe. As you can see in the video above it actually is possible to create a wrist-mounted apparatus that shoots out a harpoon and a line of string strong enough to tug on.
Preventing this from being the fully real deal is the fact that Pribe has yet to invent a special sticky, webbing-like polymer to fire out instead of a small hook and string, but perhaps we just have to give him time. What he has created is rather awesome all by itself, however. the device is powered by electromagnetics and clearly took a very skilled mind to create.
What is more impressive is that this isn't actually the first time that Priebe has created a device from comic book inspirations. Inspired by the Marvel Comics mutant known as Cyclops, he built a pair of "laser eyes" earlier this year:
And back in 2013 he got in touch with his inner Tony Stark and built a functional Iron Man gauntlet.
Being the huge comic book fan that I am, I watch these videos and begin to wonder what I could have accomplished if I had pursued engineering. Then I remember how much I loathe math and I suddenly become much more content with the universe.
Hopefully this won't be the last of Priebe's comic book inspired builds. With Guardians of the Galaxy coming out this summer, maybe he can take a crack at one of Rocket Raccoon's weapons? Or how about some of the gadgets Black Widow uses in Captain America: The Winter Soldier? The options are practically endless, and I want to see this guy explore them all.
In the meantime, for more Spider-Man action you'll only have to wait a couple more weeks, as Marc Webb's The Amazing Spider-Man 2 will be swinging into theaters on May 1st.
