When I was a freshman in high school I built one of those. We took a round piece of plywood, put an old shower curtain with little holes in it on the bottom, and drilled a hole on top to pump a leaf blower through. They are not very fun/safe. Do not try this at home.
Comparable results, albeit on a smaller scale, can be achieved with plywood and a strong vacuum cleaner motor. Not only is it inefficient and goofy looking, but it scares my cats and makes me laugh.