Jean-Yves Blondeau

Jean-Yves Blondeau
Born (1970-06-01) June 1, 1970 (age 54)
Aix-les-Bains, France
NationalityFrench
Other namesRollerman
Alma materÉcole nationale supérieure des arts appliqués et des métiers d'art
OccupationDesigner
Known forInventing the 32-wheel roller suit
Parent(s)Paul Blondeau
Micheline Blondeau
Websitewww.buggy-rollin.com

Jean-Yves Blondeau (born June 1, 1970), also known as Rollerman, is a French designer who is best known for inventing the 32-wheel roller suit.

Biography

Blondeau was born in Aix-les-Bains, Savoy, France to Paul Blondeau and Micheline Blondeau. He has four brothers and a sister.[1]

Buggy rollin

Blondeau is the inventor of the 32-wheel roller suit (also known as the wheel suit or buggy rollin). This suit places a number of rollers (similar to those found on rollerblades) on most of the major joints, the torso, and the back.[2] The wearer can ride downhill in a variety of positions (upright, prone, supine, on all fours, etc.) at speeds of up to 78 mph (126 km/h).[3] He has been featured on television shows in several countries on all continents. The buggy rollin wheel suit can be used on any surface suitable for roller skates.[4][5]

He built the roller suit as part of his graduation project at the industrial design school École nationale supérieure des arts appliqués et des métiers d'art (also known as the Olivier de Serres) in Paris. The study theme was: "systems that underline the sensations caused by the displacement of the human center of gravity in relation to support points in order to move into space". The research phase lasted for 6 months, followed by 1 month of synthesis and 2 months for producing the prototype. Then followed a year of secret patent application writing, finally published in June 1995.[6][7]

Since then, six generations of buggy-rollins have been created. They include variations from the most basic kneepad with rollers to the most sophisticated one called "Super Rollin Bionic Woman" (SURBO). The prototypes have evolved into safer, more comfortable and easier machines that can be adapted to all different morphologies.[6]

Two of his suits can be seen in a short scene partway through the end credits of the 2008 Jim Carrey film Yes Man.[4] Two other suits were featured in a commercial for Mennen filmed in South Africa and intended for distribution in South America in 2010.[8] He also featured in a commercial for Megapass, a broadband telecommunication service in South Korea.[9] In 2011 he took part in Stan Lee's Superhumans TV program.[citation needed] Blondeau trained Jackie Chan to use a roller suit in the 2012 film Chinese Zodiac.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Interview of Jean Yves". Buggy Rollin. May 19, 2009. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  2. ^ "Rollerman". The Canalian. 2009-08-07. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  3. ^ Bruce Eaton. "Buggy Rollin' Is The New X-Sport". Oh Gizmo!. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Roller Man Arrives In Australia For Newton's Nation!". Newtons Nation. November 2010. Archived from the original on February 18, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  5. ^ Mike Hanlon (2004-06-04). "Buggy Rollin': Full-body in-line skating". GizMag. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  6. ^ a b "Création". Buggy Rollin. March 26, 2011. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  7. ^ "Rollerman Speed Record 126 km/h!". Danny Strasser. March 13, 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
  8. ^ "MSS Extreme the commercial film with Jean Yves Blondeau BUGGY ROLLIN". GugowTube. Retrieved June 21, 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  9. ^ "MEGAPASS CF south korea jean yves blondeau buggy rollin". BigAdda. Archived from the original on September 10, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  10. ^ "Jackie Chan's Chinese Zodiac Rollerblade Suit Trailer". Kal01.com. 2012-08-30. Archived from the original on 2012-09-05. Retrieved 2012-12-13.