We're all pretty excited about the Red Bull-sponsored supersonic, stratospheric jump that Felix Baumgartner will be making this weekend. And while Baumgartner will likely be setting all sorts of man-outside-of-an-airplane speed records, it's worth looking back at the man who did it first, back in 1966. Even if doing it …

In a giganormous wooden box, that's how. This is how Lockheed Martin was transporting this ultra-secret A-12 OXCART—the precursor of the SR-71 Blackbird— developed under the supervision of the CIA.

Just for fun, here's a 1965 AMC Marlin parked in front of a decommissioned Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. Interesting fact: the two are roughly the same age — the Blackbird was introduced into service in 1966. [AMCRC]

This is Blackbird, it's a wind-powered car designed by an aerodynamicist to end a longstanding internet debate, namely, 'Can you go downwind faster than the wind?' Using high-tech designs and precise instrumentation, Blackbird proves you can.

Although it may look like the Rebel Alliance factory floor, those are SR-71 Blackbirds being built. We lovingly lifted the shot from Gizmodo's cool feature yesterday — written by an actual Blackbird pilot. Check it out if you haven't already.