It may not be quite as slick as the hoverboard from the Back to the Future movies in the 1980s, but visitors to the Paris science fair have been floating at a height of 2 centimetres on the first levitating skateboard.

"/> It may not be quite as slick as the hoverboard from the Back to the Future movies in the 1980s, but visitors to the Paris science fair have been floating at a height of 2 centimetres on the first levitating skateboard.

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First ‘hoverboard’ unveiled in Paris

It may not be quite as slick as the hoverboard from the Back to the Future movies in the 1980s, but visitors to the Paris science fair have been floating at a height of 2 centimetres on the first levitating skateboard.

Published: 13 October 2011 12:07 CEST
First 'hoverboard' unveiled in Paris
YouTube screenshot

The developers of the skateboard, called MagSurf, have harnessed the science of superconductivity to propel people along a 5-metre track at the science fair, which is running until October 16th.

Superconductivity was originally discovered 100 years ago by the Dutch physicist Heile Kammerlingh-Omnes.

The superconductor effect expels the magnetic field passing through it, allowing levitation to happen. The board has a four litre tank of liquid nitrogen which is frozen at a temperature of -195˚ Celsius. 

“We have built an ideal object for the public to discover the spectacular manifestations of quantum physics,” said Alain Sacuto, a physics professor at the Paris VII university.

He added that “no-one has been able to master moving human levitation” until now.

In the Back to the Future 2 movie starring Michael J Fox, his character Marty created his own levitating skateboard from a child’s scooter.

The new invention may not accelerate or corner as well as the one in the movie, but it has proved a hit with visitors young and old eager to experience the sensation of floating in the air.

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SKATEBOARD

Spanish skateboard hero of London Bridge attack awarded posthumous medal by Queen

Ignqcio Echeverría, who lost his life when he bravely defended a woman against terrorists during the London Bridge attack, has posthumously been awarded a George Medal by Queen Elizabeth II.

Published: 19 July 2018 11:38 CEST
Spanish skateboard hero of London Bridge attack awarded posthumous medal by Queen
Photo: Issued by family of Ignacio Echeverría.

The 39-year-old Spaniard, from Las Rozas outside Madrid, is one of eight heroes of the June 2017 attack to be honoured by the Queen for their courage, two of them posthumously.

The George Medal is awarded in recognition of “acts of great bravery” and has been awarded posthumously to Echevarria, who used his skateboard to fend off a knife-wielding terrorists.

The awarding committee said: 'Using his skateboard as a weapon, he was well aware that it was no match for the weapons that were being used by the assailants.

'Regardless, he ran towards them with the intention of stopping them from carrying out further attacks on innocent people who were in the vicinity.

'It is beyond doubt that he displayed great courage in choosing to try to tackle the attackers.'

Last month to mark the year anniversary of the attack, Echeverría’s father made an emotional tribute to his son, an analyst for HSBC in the City,

READ MORE: Emotional tributes paid to Spanish skateboard hero a year after London Bridge attack

“I think Ignacio did what he had to do,” his father said as his voice cracked and his chin trembled during an interview with the BBC. “And I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

Echeverría was posthumously awarded the Great Cross of the Order of Civil Merit by the Spanish government which recognises “extraordinary services” by Spanish and foreign citizens.

King Felipe VI of Spain also paid tribute to him on a state visit to London last year, mentioning his bravery in a speech to the UK parliament.

Across Spain, skate parks have been named after Ignacio Echeverría to honour his inspiring actions.

Those killed in the attack alongside Echeverría were Canadian Christine Archibald, 30, James McMullan, 32, from Hackney, Frenchmen Alexandre Pigeard, 26, Sebastien Belanger, 36 and Xavier Thomas, 45, Australians Kirsty Boden, 28 and Sara Zelenak 21.

British Ambassador to Madrid, Simon Manley, explained that the George Medal, created by King George VI in 1940, is the highest honour awarded civilians for acts of bravery.