# Segway company owner dies after driving Segway off of cliff **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 27, 2010, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215 "2010-09-27T14:26:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/21 "2010-09-27T18:25:23Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I hace an image of him driving into airspace, smiling, then looking down and then falling. [Anyone else picturing this?](http://japan.pimco.com/NR/rdonlyres/A5F6D957-01D3-4AB1-BD2D-63C2BE3C0919/6902/WileECoyoteCliffSkySoft3small.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/22 "2010-09-27T18:34:04Z")
> [@acsenray](#): > > > [@Chefguy](#): > > > > Seriously sad news. These products are the result of genuine genius. > > The genius who invented the thing is Dean Kamen. Heselden was a rich defense contractor who bought out the company. Noted above. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/23 "2010-09-27T19:07:37Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > I’ve ridden (driven?) one of the off-road models - we went on a nature tour down in Florida. It was awesome. Sure they’re nice, but they can’t jump canyons for shit. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/24 "2010-09-27T19:08:42Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Sir, your handbasket is ready. > Do you prefer boiling pitch or the brimstone? Thank you thank,you, thank you…for making my day shine after a rough day at work.. (And yeah…I’m stealing this one for my email sig…) ---
**Author:** ![Cell\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@Cell\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cell_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/25 "2010-09-27T19:16:52Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > Looks like he’s made the ultimate segue. Sorry, I couldn’t help it… [![](https://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd508/Cell_Guy/Segway.jpg) ](https://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd508/Cell_Guy/Segway.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/26 "2010-09-27T19:22:24Z")
He died as he lived, not walking. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/27 "2010-09-27T19:28:11Z")
> [@Wallenstein](#): > > Apparently it was the “off-road” model he was testing… guess it’s back to the ol’ drawing board for that one. I dunno, I don’t think you can get much more off road than that. \*asks Wile-E and Hypno-Toad to movALL GLORY TO THE HYPNO-TOAD ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2010, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/28 "2010-09-27T19:32:30Z")
> [@Cell\_Guy](#): > > > [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > > > Looks like he’s made the ultimate segue. > > Sorry, I couldn’t help it… > > [http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd508/Cell\_Guy/Segway.jpg](http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd508/Cell_Guy/Segway.jpg) I’m honored. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/29 "2010-09-28T01:44:59Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > Sure they’re nice, > but they can’t jump canyons for shit. Well, here is a great idea for Robbie Knievel. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/30 "2010-09-28T03:48:20Z")
It’s particularly tragic because one of next year’s models is going to have a parachute. They are planning a limited edition specifically for millionaires who are unaware they have cliffs on their own property. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/31 "2010-09-28T04:31:27Z")
From the picture, he looks like he was quite a hefty fellow. I can’t help wondering if the Segway sent him off the cliff in protest. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/32 "2010-09-28T04:37:11Z")
Perhaps the earth itself grew tired of supporting him. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/33 "2010-09-28T18:45:07Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > > [@Chefguy](#): > > > > Seriously sad news. These products are the result of genuine genius. > > The poor gentleman didn’t invent the Segway, he just bought the company. No, but he _did_ invent the HESCO barrier, which is one of the greatest, most innovative, and most effective portable barrier/bastion systems ever created. They are genius if only for their simplicity. I find it a bit odd that the media seems to highlight the Segway part and barely even touch on the HESCO side. He only bought Segway like a year ago. Meanwhile, his actual invention and contribution tot he world has saved hundreds of lives and continue to protect Soldiers, as well as prevent floods, reduce destruction of natural disasters, prevent erosion. . . oh, but let’s just talk about the Segway :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/34 "2010-09-28T18:54:37Z")
Nobody but you, apparently, has ever heard of the HESCO system, even though it may save us from certain disaster every single day. Ok, well, **I** haven’t ever heard of it. And it doesn’t sound very sexy, or active. Barriers!!?? I’m all about taking down barriers man, not putting them up!! ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/35 "2010-09-28T19:20:29Z")
Sure, but shouldn’t his death be as good a time as any to point these things out to those who have never heard of it? He has actually made some very amazing contributions to society, and that isn’t even talking about all his philanthropy and charity work. He was actually a decent human being. [http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Jimi-Heselden-The-tycoon-who.6553568.jp](http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Jimi-Heselden-The-tycoon-who.6553568.jp) His HESCOs were used in the US as recently as the Gulf Oil Spill, protecting sensitive shorelines. [http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/gulf\_oil\_spill/hesco-barriers-set-up-along-shoreline](http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/gulf_oil_spill/hesco-barriers-set-up-along-shoreline). They were used in Katrina to replace damaged dykes. His HESCOs in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to protect NATO forces. As one person put it recently, “More soldiers have gone untouched by heat, blast and fragmentation because of this guy than probably anybody that can be named in history.” This man invented these things and started this company from scratch like 20 something years ago. Contrast this with Segway, a company he only purchased a year ago. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/36 "2010-09-28T19:30:22Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > I dunno, I don’t think you can get much more off road than that. From the BBC video, that doesn’t really look like a “cliff” to me. It’s more like a somewhat steep embankment. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/37 "2010-09-28T20:22:52Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > > [@RickJay](#): > > > > The poor gentleman didn’t invent the Segway, he just bought the company. > > He was the [Sy Greenblum](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XbCWmY0eqY)of Segweys. Paging Sy Greenblum: You’re needed at the bottom of a rocky cliff. Bring a few of your more durable models. ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/38 "2010-09-28T21:26:50Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > Sure, but shouldn’t his death be as good a time as any to point these things out to those who have never heard of it? He has actually made some very amazing contributions to society, and that isn’t even talking about all his philanthropy and charity work. He was actually a decent human being. [http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Jimi-Heselden-The-tycoon-who.6553568.jp](http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Jimi-Heselden-The-tycoon-who.6553568.jp) > > His HESCOs were used in the US as recently as the Gulf Oil Spill, protecting sensitive shorelines. [http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/gulf\_oil\_spill/hesco-barriers-set-up-along-shoreline](http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/gulf_oil_spill/hesco-barriers-set-up-along-shoreline). They were used in Katrina to replace damaged dykes. > > His HESCOs in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to protect NATO forces. As one person put it recently, “More soldiers have gone untouched by heat, blast and fragmentation because of this guy than probably anybody that can be named in history.” > > This man invented these things and started this company from scratch like 20 something years ago. > > Contrast this with Segway, a company he only purchased a year ago. He was a genuine self made man too, who started off life as a miner til he was made redundant. He was local to me and the local news has been full of his achievements and his extensive local philanthropy. Time to dial down the shadenfreude. ---
**Author:** ![smee\_goan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f07891/32.png) [@smee\_goan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smee_goan)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/39 "2010-09-28T23:25:16Z")
Next time try windmills, solar farms, tidal water pumps, geothermal dude. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2010, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215/40 "2010-09-28T23:29:52Z")
> [@smee\_goan](#): > > Next time try windmills, solar farms, tidal water pumps, geothermal dude. Struck by blade, burned like ant under spyglass, drowned, flash fried. Which headline is better? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/segway-company-owner-dies-after-driving-segway-off-of-cliff/555215.md?page=3)