In 2001, venture capitalist John Doerr called a mystery device more important than the internet, and Steve Jobs said it was as big a deal as the PC. The secret invention turned out to be a two-wheeled scooter: the Segway. This episode dives into the chasm between world-altering hype and a product that became a punchline for mall cops and tourists.

We trace the Segway's origins in advanced medical and military robotics, including the gyroscopes from BAE Systems and the inverted-pendulum balancing breakthrough. We unpack the fatal flaws, the $5,000 price, the awkward steering, and the recall over machines that dropped riders when batteries died. Then we cover the tragic death of owner Jimmy Heselden, Ninebot's audacious move to buy the company that was suing it, and how the Segway paved the way for the e-scooter era.

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