A 14-year-old schoolboy used a school project to become his favourite superhero - and climb walls!
Hibiki made a suction device using vacuum cleaners that lets him climb walls, just like Spider-Man. He said: ‘I was inspired by a similar machine built on a television show called Bang Goes The Theory. I used to dress up as Spider-Man when I was younger and I still love all Spider-Man films, so it's great to be able to climb walls like him.’
At first the teachers didn't think he'd be able to scale walls with his invention, and they were amazed! It took Hibiki five months to make the gadget in a technology design class. He also took his invention home every day to work on it during the evenings together with his dad.
When Hibiki was asked the following question: ‘Could you tell me how this machine works?’ he answered: ‘You need two vacuum cleaners. First you install square wooden pads to the nozzles. The machine needs electricity so you need to plug it into the wall socket. Then you have to press the suction pads on the wall, they carry your weight and let you climb. To climb, push the red button. Remember that you cannot climb too high or else the plug will pull out and you’ll fall.’
‘My mum thinks it's brilliant but she won't let me use it in my bedroom as she is worried I may pull down the ceiling. I've climbed up the school wall. It's not scary and I completely trust the machine.’
Hibiki goes to King’s College School in Cambridge. This school is famous because it trains the choristers of King’s College. The choristers are selected at an annual audition.
Interesting facts:
- King’s college prep school is a school with more than 400 boys and girls.
- All choristers are full boarders, which means they live at the school.
- Girls were allowed at the school in 1976.
Adapted from: www.news.bbc.co.uk
Words to help
suction device zuigapparaat
nozzles zuigmonden
choristers leden van het koor
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