The Uncertain Future of Skywriting

One family has mastered the skill of skywriting, and now they’re revolutionizing it with “skytyping”—a more efficient method of writing in the sky that involves a fleet of planes and programmed puffs of smoke. Gregg Stinis, a 75-year-old who has spent his entire life dedicated to the craft will soon retire, leaving the business and the life of old-school skywriting in the hands of his …

Chicago’s Proposed Aerial Cable Car System

While some cities are considering self-driving pods or improved water ferry routes (like Singapore and NYC respectively), Chicago is looking to the sky to transport its citizens. Architecture firms Davis Brody Bond and Marks Barfield have just unveiled plans for a series of sky-bound cable cars that would move passengers between the city’s architectural landmarks—from Wacker Drive on the west to Navy Pier on the …

20 LED-Laced Drones Light Up Mt Fuji in ‘Sky Magic’

Filmmaker Tsuyoshi Takashiro recently lit up the base of Mt Fuji with a fleet of LED-laced drones in a mesmerizing performance called Sky Magic. Over 20 of the drones were programmed to fly in synchronization as an ensemble of Shamisen (a traditional Japanese string instrument) players plucked out an upbeat song. With the iconic snow-capped silhouette of Mt Fuji looming in the background, the jaw-dropping …