It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's the Golden Snitch? Though it has been years since a new Harry Potter movie or book has been released, the fervor of the mega-blockbuster's fan base is one of the strongest in the world. From page to screen to now stages both on Broadway and in the West End, the magical world created by J.K. Rowling has lived on.
In recent months, Rowling has received backlash in response to comments the author made on social media in regards to the Trans community. The comments led many of the series' stars, including Daniel Radcliffe, to speak out in support of the LGBTQIA community and reminded readers that their relationship with the book is "sacred." Some fans have decided to distance themselves from the franchise whereas others have chosen to focus on the world Rowling created — rather than Rowling herself.
For years, fans of the franchise have taken their love of Potter to the field and created their own muggle-adjusted version of Quidditch — a game played by the young wizards of Hogwarts. Of course, this version which is sometimes even played as an intramural sport on college campuses does not require a flying broomstick.
But this new invention out of Brazil could take Quidditch to the next level. The idea was sparked earlier this year by Alessandro Russo, who with the help of Henrique Suarez, created the first functional prototype for a motorized broomstick.
The company is called Nuvem Vassouras and so far their Instagram page has amassed just over 3,000 fans waiting for the broom's official release which will cost about $250 USD apiece. Nuvem in Portuguese means cloud and vassouras translates to brooms.
There are four different versions of the broomstick, each will be sold to give buyers options.
"We believe that each wizard will connect with a different version of the broom, just as we on the team have different personalities and each has their favorite," Cecília Bohrer, the director of marketing at Nuvem Vassouras tells Newsweek.
So how exactly do these magical broomsticks work? Well, it's not quite magic. The brooms come mounted on a device that can be placed on a motorized wheel — or unicycle. When customers buy the broom, the wheel is not included, though the company has just closed a deal with a Brazilian unicycle distributor where buyers can buy the products together if they choose.
Though not the zippiest form of transportation, only hitting about 37mph, Russo says he jumps on his broomstick and takes it to the bakery, as he tells Reuters.
"We will start selling our brooms in Brazil later this year and we hope that soon we will be able to sell them globally," Bohrer tells Newsweek. "Our desire is to see more and more wizards and witches flying around the world!"
For now, the team is offering "flight classes" to learn how to "fly" on the new form of transportation. The classes are offered out of the city of Belo Horizonte and will cost less than $20 USD. Bohrer says there are also plans to make the broomsticks compatible with the two-wheeled hoverboards.
