Wasilla, “real America” Alaska is more than just Sarah Palin’s stomping ground and a natural-gas haven. Wasilla’s also the hometown of Carlos Owens, a man whose 20-foot robotic exoskeleton has flamethrower hands. An Air Force transplant and amateur inventor, Carlos makes the machines for which our inner seven year-olds never stop begging. While both his Hover Bike and Sky Bike need a few kinks worked out, but for a guy who draws blueprints in chalk on his driveway, Carlos’ progress is astounding.