Electromechanical engineer Dean Kamen is best known for his Segway PT, which has influenced culture and will likely continue to do so in the future. Kamen's most famous invention had a sketchy start: When he introduced the Segway on ABC's Good Morning America, the initial reception was bland at best, one of disappointment and chagrin at worst. This is because of what occurred before Kamen unveiled his machine.

Kamen worked on the Segway for ten years, spending millions of dollars in the process. He also kept it a closely guarded secret. Only a select few technicians and fellow engineers--and one privileged reporter, Steve Kemper, who was called by Kamen to observe and document--were made privy to what was to be "the world's first self-balancing human transporter," one that would be energy-efficient and able to share the sidewalks with pedestrians. The Segway HT that first clocked at 17 miles per hour was codenamed "Ginger," but the device was known as "It" to the public. The device was rumored to be a technological marvel that would revolutionize transportation. Intrigue multiplied as word got out that Apple Computer's Steve Jobs had deemed it an invention as important as the personal computer. Segway financial backer John Doerr stated that entire cities would be designed around "It."

When finally unveiled, however, the Segway turned out to be just a scooter--one with the back cut off. It was misrepresented in public relations stints, and it was priced at $4,950. Marketing had projected that 31 million units would sell in the first ten to fifteen years, but only 23,500 sold in the first six years. Recalls were a nightmare: Segway riders could stay on as long as the machine was moving, but users fell off as the batteries wore down. In 2006, a software glitch forced a recall of 24,000 units. Limitations on where Segways were allowed also destroyed the dream of making the device universally accepted: In a number of cities, people were forbidden to use them on sidewalks. In 2004, they were banned from Disney-owned parks.

Doerr recruited a new chief executive officer, James D. Norrod, to do some damage control. Norrod studied the technology and consumers and came up with a decision to increase Segway's utility by going to a second prototype on file and adding two more wheels--though the new version strayed from Kamen's original vision. In response, Kamen brought out a larger, more capacious version, added a price tag of $10,000, and dropped the price of the original Segway to $3,000. Police officers, security guards, postal workers, park rangers, corporate fleet personnel, tour guides, and military personnel and veterans are making more and better use of the Segway. While the jury may still be out, Kamen has said that he will let history determine whether or not his ideas are important.

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