Culture
Culture
Apr 29, 2025

The Ultimate Fire Eater

In 1991, after Saddam Hussein’s army invaded Kuwait, it left behind blazing oil fires which were extremely difficult to put out.

What do you get when you put fighter jet engines on a tank?  Answer: A fire’s worst enemy.

I admit it. I have a soft spot for really imaginative and fun examples of what I call the ‘innovation shortcut’ – putting together already existing, previously separate components to form compelling, new value propositions.  And this example may be the best one yet.

In 1991, after Saddam Hussein’s army invaded Kuwait, it left behind blazing oil fires which were extremely difficult to put out.  Thinking laterally, Hungarian engineers rigged Mig-21 fighter jet engines on a World War II Russian tank. The resulting monster, called ‘Big Wind’, shoots out 8,000 gallons of water per minute, at 770 miles per hour.  Fire has no chance.

Gabor George Burt

Gabor George Burt

Global Authority on Re-imagining Boundaries

Buy the products mentioned in this article

No items found.

Keep up with the latest articles

Be the first to access new articles, focused content that brings value with every read.

Mail Icon - Affiliate X Webflow Template
Thanks for joining our newsletter.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Explore our collection of 200+ Premium Webflow Templates