In a patent awarded earlier this year and discovered by analyst Zoe Leavitt this week, Amazon describes its invention, which it refers to as an "airborne fulfillment center." The chief benefit over warehouses on the ground is the ability to be redirected to areas where Amazon is experiencing high order volumes.

The floating warehouse could even hover over an event like a football game, the patent filing explains, dispatching drones to deliver food or souvenirs. Some drones could be pre-loaded with high-demand items, reducing delivery times even further.