In the United States, Bell Aerosystems developed the rocket belt, a personal flying device that used a hydrogen peroxide rocket to propel the wearer through the air. The rocket belt was demonstrated at the 1961 Daytona 500 and other events, capturing the public's imagination. However, it was impractical for widespread use, as it had a very short flight time and was difficult to control. It remains a symbol of the early Space Age and the dream of personal flight.

The rocket belt is a symbol of the 1960s space craze and the dream of personal flight, a theme that has been explored in countless works of science fiction and poetry. Its appearance in popular culture has made it a symbol of the jet-set lifestyle and the desire for freedom. The rocket belt's failure to become a practical means of transportation serves as a reminder that not all visions of the future are feasible, a theme that has been taken up by contemporary poets. The belt also represents the human desire to transcend the limitations of the body.