Inside.com reports that Harvard Business School Press has paid $250,000 for a book about a mysterious new invention by Dean Kamen. Kamen invented the first portable insulin pump and a wheel chair that can climb stairs.

The invention with the code name "Ginger" has gotten rave reviews. Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos says its a "product so revolutionary, you'll have no problem selling it." Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs says it will change the ways cities are designed. Venture capitalist John Doerr has invested millions in it. Doerr expects "Ginger" to be as significant as the development of the World Wide Web. Another investor, Credit Suisse First Boston, thinks "Ginger" will be the most lucrative start-up in history and will make Kamen richer than Bill Gates.

Kamen has said that his device will be an alternative to products that "are dirty, expensive, sometimes dangerous and often frustrating, expecially for people in the cities." The invention's identity is expected to be revealed in 2002.

-- JohnLittmann (littmannj@aol.com), January 14, 2001

Answers

-- Uncle Bob (unclb0b@aol.com), January 14, 2001.

link to another post

-- Uncle Bob (unclb0b@aol.com), January 14, 2001.

Other Links

-- Uncle Bob (unclb0b@aol.com), January 14, 2001.

IT!!!!

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=004PQ0

-- (rel@ted.thread), January 14, 2001.

If as speculated someone has figured out how to make the Stirling engine something besides an slowmotion curiosity it would be really neat.

Doubt it.

-- Carlos (riffraff@cybertime.net), January 14, 2001.

Thanks, UB, but I don't think a motorized scooter is that exciting. Its not practicle in strong winds, rain, or snow. It doesn't lend itself to transporting parcels or infants.

-- JohnLittmann (littmannj@aol.com), January 14, 2001.

Looking at that drawing, it looks like there's about 10 ways to die on that thing. It also looks really hard to even use it and stay balanced. Operating instructions: "In the event you hit a small bump at 30mph and are thrown forward, block the fall with your face."

-- Bemused (and_amazed@you.people), January 16, 2001.