General: Skydiving enthusiast invents "The Parachute Recliner"

John Peterson, 21, of San Pedro, Wis., loves skydiving, but he was getting bored with the usual technique. So Peterson invented the first recliner that comes fully equipped with a parachute.

"I'll be quite honest with you, skydiving gets old after a while," said Peterson. "I needed to spice things up, so I came up with a spiffy idea -- I invented "The Parachute Recliner," a recliner that folds down into a parachute."

The parachute is deployed by pulling a lever on the side of the recliner.

"Sometimes, you just want to jump out of a plane and take a moment to relax, this is what that recliner is for," said Peterson. "People think about skydiving as an extreme sport, but there are plenty of mellow, sensitive people jumping out of planes, too. If you're someone who just likes to kick back during that 30,000ft fall to your likely death, this recliner is for you."

Local residents say Peterson's idea is pure genius.

"I wake up every morning and make a wish, I want to be like Mr. Peterson. This guy's idea, to make a recliner with a parachute, just rocks my world," said city councilman Jorge Pedrosa.

In fact, Peterson's ingenuity will be honored Wednesday, when he receives the "key to the city" from San Pedro Mayor Woody Peters.

"Peterson displays the kind of 'go-getter' spirit that makes us proud to live in this community," said Peters. "This ceremony on Wednesday will give us an opportunity to look Peterson in the eye and say: 'Gosh, you did a dang good job.' I'm really looking forward to it - and there will be free BBQ wings, too."

Peterson says he is just a simple guy who loves skydiving. Nonetheless, he is looking forward to the ceremony in his honor.

"Shucks, that's pretty special," said a giddy Peterson. "When the mayor wants to honor you, it just feels good. And someone told me they will have BBQ wings there, that's just awesome. I won't even have to eat beforehand. An award and free wings, what a deal!"

This is a work of fiction. Any references to people or places, real or fictional, are purely coincidental.