Wait over: Kamen will tell secret of 'Ginger'

Union Leader/New Hampshire Sunday News ^ | December 1, 2001 | SHAWNE K. WICKHAM

[B Knotts]

Just more IT stuff.

[B Knotts]

Indexing.

IT_list

[LJLucido]

I thought it was just unveiled on South Park last week.

[csvset]

[Constitution Day]

If IT is like the one on South Park, I'll definitely pass!

[The Truth Will Make You Free]

They're full of IT.

[billybudd]

That South Park episode was hilarious. In reality, I'm guessing IT will be a scooter that runs on the hype surrounding it.

[Eala]

Many concluded that Kamen had managed to perfect the Stirling engine, a 19th-century-era perpetual motion device that runs on hydrogen.

Huh. The only kind of "Stirling engine" *I* know already works, doesn't need hydrogen, and isn't a perpetual-motion device. (a high-school chem/physics teacher friend has a small table-top model that runs on a burning candle.) But it wouldn't be the first time I've seen the ill-educated press get it wrong.

[B Knotts]

Yeah. I chuckled when I read that, too. Anyhow, from a page that was supposedly "accidentally" posted on a website by a web developer, it appears that the Stirling engine angle is accurate, and they have created one that is extremely efficient and can run on multiple fuels. I think that's where the big payoff is, as opposed to the scooter itself.

But, we'll know for sure on Monday.

[The Raven]

I did a seach on Delphio for applications under his name and got 5500 hits !!!

There were a few engine related patent aps that looked relevent - but way too many to sift through.

Here's an example of one...

Not sure if the general public can view this...let me know.

[The Raven]

>>Web address would be “flywheel.com

I wish I could find my post from last year. I guessed it was a flywheel device. Flywheels can conserve lots of energy - and braking can be accomplished by speeding up the turning wheel - not lossing energy to heat as in cars. Somebody buit a car like that - years ago. It couldn't go around a corner (flywheels are like gyroscopes).

[John Jorsett]

It'll be interesting to see if Segway resembles any of these drawings from kamen's patent application.

[redheadtoo]

I saw those pictures before and I have to wonder what the fuss is about. This thing looks like a razor scooter for adults. I can see no advantage in giving up the comfort, and security, of my car for something that appears to be an oversized toy.

[John Jorsett]

I've always wanted one of those electric scooters. They look like fun. I don't think I'd enjoy using one to go to the store in the rain, however.

[redheadtoo]

Rain or shine those drawings are impractical for running errands. Where do you stow the grocery bags?

[monkey]

I wonder if the Amish will use IT.

[Walkin Man]

The "Segway" sounds cool but how practical is it? Can you carry anything on it other than yourself? Wouldn't be any good for going to the store if not. What about the elements? Say 20 degrees below zero in the middle of January or 110 degrees and high humidity, for instance or rain or ice or deep snow? How about the safety factor of driving? around the heart of most American cities with nothing between you, your money, credit cards, and the bad guys? I think the tech is cool but it seems like a toy to me also.

[Walkin Man]

'IT' IS REVEALED: NAMED 'SEGWAY', A SELF-BALANCING PEOPLE MOVER

DEVELOPING: 'IT' REVEALED; 'SEGWAY' SELF-BALANCING PEOPLE MOVER

Even more Segway stuff for ya, BK!

[AMERIKA]

perpetual motion device that runs on hydrogen

This was my favorite line... LOL!

Would that make a car a perpetual motion device that runs on gas?

[John Jorsett]

I suspect that these drawings are only for the concept. The real thing might have the equivalent of saddlebags or a handlebar basket or whatever. Even if it doesn't, an industry will spring up to fulfill any unmet needs. I'm guessing that it will be appropriate to use a Segway under the same circumstances that you would walk, although with a Segway you'd have greater range.