It would be even more insane in todays Commander, as virtually every set heavily features cards that create Artifact tokens like Treasure, Maps, and Clues
Apparently, it was featured in only one interview that has unfortunately been lost to time
Obviously, we've got the job select mechanic to pull this together, but there are tons of other cards that reference equipment
Gallery and List of Jump-start Cards Beacon Bolt Chemister's Insight Dihada's Ploy Direct Current Gravitic Punch Maximize Altitude Maximize Velocity Niv-Mizzet, Supreme Quasiduplicate Radical Idea Risk Factor Sonic Assault Start the TARDIS Best Jump-start Cards Gravitic Punch Gravitic Punch isnt a card that would go in every deck, but it can be good in the right situations
Granted, they're a very distinguished-looking rodent
If the Equipment is no longer on the battlefield as the job select ability resolves, you'll still create the Hero token, although you won't attach any Equipment to it