In July of 1999, reports of a secret project leaked out into the media.
Given the code name ginger, it set off a firestorm of thought about what the possibly world changing device could be. People came up with all kinds of possibilities, from a teleportation device to a form of time travel. Some people even set off rumors of ginger being a device for defeating Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan. Segways have changed the world ever since they were released. From military to postal service, the segway has many uses.
The Segway is used for transportation of small distances. Segways are mostly used for fun or to get around, but they could be used to transport things short distances. A Segway is a two-wheeled self balancing vehicle. Users stand on a
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People had many theories on what this world changing device might be. Some people thought it would be time travel or even an anti gravity device. Some thought it might be bigger than the internet. “You have this incredibly innovative machine but it looks very traditional,” said Steve Jobs former Apple CEO. To glide on a Segway lean forward to accelerate and go forwards then lean back to decelerate and come to a stop in about four feet. To steer left or right simply lean in that direction. When the Segway was first unveiled in 2001 it was the first ever self balancing electric vehicle.To remain upright the segway uses five gyroscopes, a built in computer, and tilt sensors which monitor the users center of gravity 100 times every second! For the record, a gyroscope is a device consisting of a wheel or disk mounted so that it can spin rapidly on an axis that is itself free to alter in direction. The segway has such good balance that it doesn’t even use brakes, in fact when you lean back it just slows down and eventually comes to a complete stop. In 2006 Segway released 2 new models, i2 and x2. x2 is designed for mountainous terrain, i2 is smaller and designed for use in cities.The Segway HT was released to the public on December 3, 2001 on Good Morning America. Dean Kamen chose the name “segway” because it comes from word segue which means to transition smoothly from one state to another. The
Every year an estimated 290 million people all over the world flock to amusement and theme parks to experience the thrills and excitement of the modern day roller coaster. (Boldurian 16). Now thousands of people a day can safely experience the G-forces that an astronaut or fighter pilot would experience in flight. "The Revolution" a roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia California gives riders an amazing 4.9 Gs; that is 1.5 more than an astronaut at launch. (Boldurian 16). These G-forces create thrills and fear and excitement in all who ride them. But the truth is that there is no reason to fear. Roller Coasters are exceptionally safe. The mortality rate for roller coasters is one in 90 million, and most of the fatality occurred due to failure to follow safety guidelines. (Boldurian 17). But roller coasters have not always been this safe. One of the first coaster attractions was actually just a mine rail designed to bring coal to the base of the mountain (Lemelson-MIT Program). The attraction was a thirty minute ride, with speeds of more than one-hundred miles per hour. As time went on entrepreneurs in the late 1800's began creating “quick buck cheap thrill attractions.” These early coasters lacked safety for the sake of thrills. This changed when John A. Miller engineer and roller coaster designer began making coasters. John Miller held over 100 patents many of which were for roller coaster safety and functionality that are still used today (Lemelson-MIT Program). John Miller's inventions and improvements to the roller coaster make him the father of the modern roller coaster that we know today.
Ever wondered how roller coasters work? It’s not with an engine! Roller coasters rely on a motorized chain and a series of phenomena to keep them going. Phenomena are situations or facts that have been observed and proven to exist. A few types of phenomena that help rollercoasters are gravity, kinetic and potential energy, and inertia. Gravity pulls roller coasters along the track as they’re going downhill. Potential and kinetic energy help rollercoasters to ascend hills and gain enough momentum to descend them and finish the track. Inertia keeps passengers pressed towards the outside of a loop-the-loop and in their seat. Gravity, potential and kinetic energy, and inertia are three types of phenomena that can be observed by watching roller
In the 1800s many innovations took place in America; however it was advances in transportation that changed America the most. At the start of the 19th century, there were no railroads or canals, making travel very difficult and long. Trading was also tough because there was no easy route to get to popular trading ports. Starting in 1812, the country was in a very good place and was in the process of rapidly improving. During this time, the steam engine also made an appearance in America. It helped with the invention of the steamboat, as well as the invention of locomotives. Advances in transportation during the 1800s completely transformed commerce, economic structure, the population density and had many other positive effects on America.
With the development of the integrated circuit in the late 1950’s, ride designers were opened to a multitude of new c...
The bicycle is often mistaken as an item for pleasure, and a means of optional transportation in the 21st century. However, we tend to forget that the bicycle was one of the most revolutionary inventions of its time. The bicycle was used for pleasure but more importantly a means of transportation. When the Great Depression swept across the entire country, people began to cut back on things that weren’t necessary for survival and businesses felt the effects. Less spending caused businesses to become increasingly nervous when it came to their survival. In order for businesses to stimulate consumer spending one would assume that they would possibly increase their own advertisement spending to encourage consumer spending. However, this is not true,
Throughout history there has been many different roller coasters made over the years. In the 17th century Russia made the Russian Ice Slide. Inspired by the playground slide, they were giant 70 feet through 80 feet high wooden slides that were covered with ice and the sleds made with ice or wood. As it was adapted into the warmer climate of France guided tracks and wheels were used to replace the hard to control ice sled and slide. In between 1901-1910 The Loop the Loop was open. With a 35ft hig...
...r," in 1885, which he never patented. It had a steerable front wheel that had easier turning, equally sized wheels and a chain drive to the rear wheel. As with the original velocipede, safety bicycles had been much less comfortable than high-wheelers precisely because of the smaller wheel size. Bicycle historians often call this period the "golden age" because many people could ride the bike without dying or injuring themselves.
You apprehensively walk up the iron steps and onto the platform. You’re reluctant to go any further, but your friend eggs you on, saying, “It’s not that fast.” You step into the seat and pull the harness down over you. No, this isn’t the latest, greatest technological frontier. It’s a roller coaster. Since 1804 when the first wheeled roller coaster- called “Les Montagnes Russes”- was constructed in Paris, France, roller coasters have been a staple of adventure and fantasy among children and children-at-heart. But there’s no magic involved with these fantastic creations, there’s a plethora of forces and laws governing their every movement. From kinetic energy to inertia, roller coasters are intricate engineering marvels that function through the laws of physics. This is a look into those physics that result in a thrill ride unlike any other.
The automobile had changed America in many ways since it has been created in the early 1900’s. When the automobile was first invented it was a thing only the rich could afford. After the invention of the mass production line more and more people were able to buy automobiles because they were being produce and sold for cheaper. A historian once said that Henry ford is the reason why common people have no limitations of their geography.
From Ancient Mesopotamia came a revolutionary tool that has crystallized the world into the complex civilization it is today, the wheel. The wheel has commutated the very way we live and think about the world and all credit goes to Ancient Mesopotamia for providing this life changing invention. Wheels are everywhere we look and in places that you wouldn't even think. Wheels are used everyday in some way or another and come in many sizes and innumerable different materials and purposes. This prodigious invention has helped ancient Mesopotamians work, move, and live and still helps us today.
“Even though roller coasters propel you through the air, shoot you through tunnels, and zip you down and around many hills and loops, they are quite safe and can prove to be a great way to get scared, feel that sinking feeling in your stomach, and still come out of it wanting to do it all over again (1).” Thanks to the manipulation of gravitational and centripetal forces humans have created one of the most exhilarating attractions. Even though new roller coasters are created continuously in the hope to create breathtaking and terrifying thrills, the fundamental principles of physics remain the same. A roller coaster consists of connected cars that move on tracks due to gravity and momentum. Believe it or not, an engine is not required for most of the ride. The only power source needed is used to get to the top first hill in order to obtain a powerful launch. Physics plays a huge part in the function of roller coasters. Gravity, potential and kinetic energy, centripetal forces, conservation of energy, friction, and acceleration are some of the concepts included.
However, only 6000 units were sold. One of the reasons Segway didn’t sell very well is that there was too much hype surrounding the product and expectations were too high. This could have been avoided by introducing it gradually to niche markets instead of going national on day one, before it was even legal to use. Another reason is that people questioned its price, $5000, which puts it out of reach of many people, and practicality. People were not sure where to get it serviced.
INTRODUCTION In December 2001, Dean Kamen of Segway LLC unveiled the Human Transporter HT. With lofty ideas of replacing the automobile and unrealized sales forecasts, Kamen's Segway HT has not moved mankind nearly as much as Kamen had expected. With an annual CEO change since the start-up, it is apparent that Segway's lack of a stated vision and mission is haunting the organization. The lack of "a way ahead", coupled with a less than well defined marketing strategy, has caused Segway to fall short of Kamen's expectations.
So what was the original thinking behind the car? Well to get a person and their family from point A to point B in a faster time than a horse. And it has evolved greatly ever since, even starting to loop back to Edison’s original plan for an electric car. So its safe to say that that the automobile is one of, if not, the most influential inventions on the United states.
This project was originally conducted under the Advanced Research Projects Agency to counteract the USSR’s launch of the Sputnik. After the creation it had been called the Arpanet, and would be used specifically for government networks until the early 90’s. In 1990 the World Wide Web had been created as an online public network for everyday civilians to use.