From the ironic tragedies department

From the ironic tragedies department

Debates

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Civis Americanus Sum

New York

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17585
27 Sep 10
1 edit

http://www.cnn.com/2010/BUSINESS/09/27/uk.segway.death/index.html

The owner of the Segway company has died, apparently in an accident involving one of his upright two-wheeled vehicles, police in England said Monday.

The body of James Heselden, 62, was pulled from the River Wharfe in northern England on Sunday, police said.

A Segway-type vehicle was recovered from the river, police said.


For debate, why did the segway never really take off as was initially hoped and speculated?

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=segway_more_complicated_than_it_needs_to_be

silicon valley

Joined
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27 Sep 10

it's kind of expensive for a small recreational vehicle. and may not be unstable but it does look unstable. and look what just happened with the company owner.

sometimes they're used by university police around here.

u
The So Fist

Voice of Reason

Joined
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27 Sep 10

Originally posted by sh76
http://www.cnn.com/2010/BUSINESS/09/27/uk.segway.death/index.html

[quote]The owner of the Segway company has died, apparently in an accident involving one of his upright two-wheeled vehicles, police in England said Monday.

The body of James Heselden, 62, was pulled from the River Wharfe in northern England on Sunday, police said.

A Segway-type vehicle ...[text shortened]... ?

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=segway_more_complicated_than_it_needs_to_be
where exactly is the irony here?

He fell off the thing the company he owns makes and died. Is that really ironic? or just coincidence?

F

Unknown Territories

Joined
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20408
28 Sep 10

Originally posted by sh76
http://www.cnn.com/2010/BUSINESS/09/27/uk.segway.death/index.html

[quote]The owner of the Segway company has died, apparently in an accident involving one of his upright two-wheeled vehicles, police in England said Monday.

The body of James Heselden, 62, was pulled from the River Wharfe in northern England on Sunday, police said.

A Segway-type vehicle ...[text shortened]... ?

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=segway_more_complicated_than_it_needs_to_be
I think it would qualify as ironic if he headed a company which was intent on destroying the Segway. Otherwise, as stated, it's merely coincidental.

t

Garner, NC

Joined
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30924
28 Sep 10

Originally posted by sh76
http://www.cnn.com/2010/BUSINESS/09/27/uk.segway.death/index.html

[quote]The owner of the Segway company has died, apparently in an accident involving one of his upright two-wheeled vehicles, police in England said Monday.

The body of James Heselden, 62, was pulled from the River Wharfe in northern England on Sunday, police said.

A Segway-type vehicle ...[text shortened]... ?

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=segway_more_complicated_than_it_needs_to_be
Where do people "walk" that they would benefit from a Segway? The Appalachian Trail? Too rocky. From my desk to the bathroom? Too short. From my car to the office? Hardly worth the trouble of packing a Segway in my car. And what to do about the curb? The mall? Still have to pack in in my car.

Do I use it to cover more ground when I go on a walk for exercise? Well that question answers itself.

Although they'd be fun to try, I can't think of a good use even if I were given one for free.

Even if they could be checked out at the mall by customers, who wants to worry about parking it before going into a store?
I guess a mall cop would be the best candidate to use one.

Civis Americanus Sum

New York

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28 Sep 10

Originally posted by techsouth
Where do people "walk" that they would benefit from a Segway? The Appalachian Trail? Too rocky. From my desk to the bathroom? Too short. From my car to the office? Hardly worth the trouble of packing a Segway in my car. And what to do about the curb? The mall? Still have to pack in in my car.

Do I use it to cover more ground when I go on a walk ...[text shortened]... ng it before going into a store?
I guess a mall cop would be the best candidate to use one.
I guess the original idea was that they'd market it to urbanites for whom owning cars is inconvenient. I guess it would be a fairly efficient replacement for the bicycle, as a means of transport over medium distances.

I hear that they use them in large warehouses. That would seemingly also be a decent fit.

s
Democracy Advocate

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28 Sep 10

Originally posted by sh76
I guess the original idea was that they'd market it to urbanites for whom owning cars is inconvenient. I guess it would be a fairly efficient replacement for the bicycle, as a means of transport over medium distances.

I hear that they use them in large warehouses. That would seemingly also be a decent fit.
Once again, we have pointy-haired government regulators to thank for the lack of adoption of the Segway.

I would have bought one myself at one point, but you can only use them on sidewalks in many places -- and then local jurisdictions often state they can't be used there either.

Ah, government! Such a wise and clever group of individuals providing untold benefits and bounty to all of the rest of us! We must raise our taxes in order to provide more jobs for government bureaucrats who can restrict our freedoms in new and interesting ways for our own good! Ah!

Ming the Merciless

Royal Oak, MI

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27626
29 Sep 10

Originally posted by uzless
where exactly is the irony here?

He fell off the thing the company he owns makes and died. Is that really ironic? or just coincidence?
It's about as ironic as Otto Lilienthal dying in a glider accident.

Blade Runner

Republicants

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30 Sep 10
1 edit

Originally posted by spruce112358
Once again, we have pointy-haired government regulators to thank for the lack of adoption of the Segway.
thats what you want lots of vehicles with speed differentials to cars about half of what the cars are doing turning you favorite road into a scene from new delhi.

BUT to segue quickly along they should have stocked the entrance ways to big walmart shopping centre's with hire a segway. no need to lug the thing around with you and whenever you've had enough just park it in the closest available segway stand and off you go!

silicon valley

Joined
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30 Sep 10

Originally posted by spruce112358
Once again, we have pointy-haired government regulators to thank for the lack of adoption of the Segway.

I would have bought one myself at one point, but you can only use them on sidewalks in many places -- and then local jurisdictions often state they can't be used there either.

Ah, government! Such a wise and clever group of individuals providin ...[text shortened]... ent bureaucrats who can restrict our freedoms in new and interesting ways for our own good! Ah!
how many jurisdictions were you planning on riding it in?

Blade Runner

Republicants

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105501
30 Sep 10

Originally posted by zeeblebot
how many jurisdictions were you planning on riding it in?
maybe they should have built segway parks, much like skateboard parks.

Its win win now in obama care america. if they stumble or overide a dip and break something on the way down to kissing concrete, at their hospital bills and medical treatment will be affordable.