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An old hat, but I'm wearing it for the first time: Segway 
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Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2014 5:30 am
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Post An old hat, but I'm wearing it for the first time: Segway
I was very surprised when re-reading "The roads must roll" not too long ago (it's been a while since I read it before that) and I came across the description of the tumble-bugs... except for them having only one center wheel vs. the two side-mounted ones of the Segways, they seem to be pretty much the same thing. Looking at those similarities, I was not sure if this was more of a prediction or an actual invention made by Heinlein - though I'm leaning towards "prediction" now: it's simply the smallest design you can come up with for a person to ride more or less safely - a platform to stand on, a handle to hold on, and some stuff underneath/around to make it go (to house the engine/power source). Personal mobility can not really get much smaller than that - imagine how today's cities would look if all trips not requiring a roof and/or storage were done on those little critters :-)


Wed Oct 08, 2014 4:27 pm
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Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 10:46 am
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Location: Aurora, IL, USA, Terra
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Post Re: An old hat, but I'm wearing it for the first time: Segwa

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Bill Higgins
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http://beamjockey.livejournal.com


Thu Oct 09, 2014 9:22 am
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Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 6:24 am
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Location: Northwest Georgia
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Post Re: An old hat, but I'm wearing it for the first time: Segwa
Reminds me of the Losians in COTG.


Thu Oct 09, 2014 2:07 pm
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Heinlein Nexus
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Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:10 am
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Location: Pacific NorthWest
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Post Re: An old hat, but I'm wearing it for the first time: Segwa
For a single wheel version of the Segway, see http://www.everychina.com/p-z52dd6d9-96 ... orter.html and also http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/ ... -want.html. The first one is in production and is pretty darn small.


Thu Oct 09, 2014 5:20 pm
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