Bruce Simpson
Encyclopedia
For the Canadian pole vaulter with the same name see Bruce Simpson (athlete)
Bruce Simpson is an internet celebrity and activist from New Zealand
best known for his long running blog and his 2003 attempt to build a missile with parts ordered from internet retailers.
for US$5000 using only "off-the-shelf
" technology, mostly purchased from eBay
and other online stores. The purpose of the project was to prove the point he made in an article published on 20 May 2002 that a cruise missile can be built with off the shelf technology and knowledge available to the general public. Simpson states on his FAQ page that he is not developing a new technology or creating a new threat, but creating awareness of an existing threat with the hope that it will stimulate research into an effective defense.
The project was put on hold when Simpson was adjudged bankrupt after a prosecution by the New Zealand Inland Revenue Department
. Simpson claimed that the prosecution was politically motivated, as it was the only legal strategy available to the government of New Zealand to stop his work. A documentary which aired in April 2004 explored the events surrounding his prosecution. Simpson resumed and completed construction of the prototype cruise missile. His website claims that the missile is in "safe hands" somewhere in New Zealand, in a location unknown to him. Simpson says that not knowing the missile's whereabouts is a legal strategy intended to prevent his prosecution while it is tested. Simpson also claims to be halfway finished with completing a second cruise missile which he intends to donate to a museum or educational institution. He stated an intention to release a book about his experience with the development of the missile, the media interest in 2003, and the reaction of the United States
and New Zealand Governments to his announcement.
technology. He has served as an expert build adviser on the television show Scrapheap challenge
when the episode revolved around building jet-powered drag cars.
Simpson also has significant experience in the world of radio control
model aircraft
design and construction. It was the combination of these areas of expertise which led to the cruise missile project.
Bruce Simpson (athlete)
Bruce Simpson is a retired male pole vaulter from Canada. He set his personal best in the men's pole vault on 13 February 1976 at a meet in Toronto.-Achievements:-References:**...
Bruce Simpson is an internet celebrity and activist from New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
best known for his long running blog and his 2003 attempt to build a missile with parts ordered from internet retailers.
Aardvark Daily
Simpson's personal website Aardvark has operated since 1996 as a blog and newslink site, focusing on science, technology and the internet. It is New Zealand's longest running blog.7am.com
The news aggregation service 7am.com was developed by Bruce Simpson in 1997. 7am provided a simple Java applet that anyone could put on their website, which would display a stream of news items, and link to the website with that item. This service was a pioneer in providing syndicated content free of charge. Although successful, the concept was not profitable to operate from New Zealand because of expensive and limited internet connectivity. Simpson sold down his interests in the company in 1999.DIY Cruise Missile
Simpson garnered significant media attention in 2003 when he announced his intention to build a DIY cruise missileCruise missile
A cruise missile is a guided missile that carries an explosive payload and is propelled, usually by a jet engine, towards a land-based or sea-based target. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high accuracy...
for US$5000 using only "off-the-shelf
Off-the-shelf
Off the shelf may refer to:* Off-the-shelf component* Commercial off-the-shelf, a phrase in computing terminology* Ready-to-wear* Shelf corporation, a type of company...
" technology, mostly purchased from eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
and other online stores. The purpose of the project was to prove the point he made in an article published on 20 May 2002 that a cruise missile can be built with off the shelf technology and knowledge available to the general public. Simpson states on his FAQ page that he is not developing a new technology or creating a new threat, but creating awareness of an existing threat with the hope that it will stimulate research into an effective defense.
The project was put on hold when Simpson was adjudged bankrupt after a prosecution by the New Zealand Inland Revenue Department
Inland Revenue Department (New Zealand)
Inland Revenue , previously known as the Inland Revenue Department, is the New Zealand government department responsible for the collection of over 80% of the Crown's revenue in New Zealand. It also collects and disburses social support programme payments and provides the government with policy...
. Simpson claimed that the prosecution was politically motivated, as it was the only legal strategy available to the government of New Zealand to stop his work. A documentary which aired in April 2004 explored the events surrounding his prosecution. Simpson resumed and completed construction of the prototype cruise missile. His website claims that the missile is in "safe hands" somewhere in New Zealand, in a location unknown to him. Simpson says that not knowing the missile's whereabouts is a legal strategy intended to prevent his prosecution while it is tested. Simpson also claims to be halfway finished with completing a second cruise missile which he intends to donate to a museum or educational institution. He stated an intention to release a book about his experience with the development of the missile, the media interest in 2003, and the reaction of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and New Zealand Governments to his announcement.
Other projects
Simpson has been heavily involved in the development of pulsejetPulse jet engine
A pulse jet engine is a type of jet engine in which combustion occurs in pulses. Pulsejet engines can be made with few or no moving parts, and are capable of running statically....
technology. He has served as an expert build adviser on the television show Scrapheap challenge
Scrapheap Challenge
Scrapheap Challenge is an engineering game show produced by RDF Media and broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK. In the show, teams of contestants have 10 hours in which to build a working machine that can do a specific task, using materials available in a scrapheap. The format was exported to the...
when the episode revolved around building jet-powered drag cars.
Simpson also has significant experience in the world of radio control
Radio control
Radio control is the use of radio signals to remotely control a device. The term is used frequently to refer to the control of model vehicles from a hand-held radio transmitter...
model aircraft
Model aircraft
Model aircraft are flying or non-flying models of existing or imaginary aircraft using a variety of materials including plastic, diecast metal, polystyrene, balsa wood, foam and fibreglass...
design and construction. It was the combination of these areas of expertise which led to the cruise missile project.