"IT"

"They'll build cities around it."

In early 2001 a mysterious publicity campaign began. A publicist working on a book about a new invention by an accomplished inventor named Dean Kamen leaked some interesting details.In the past Kamen has been responsible for creating such revolutionary devices as the portable dialysis machine, as well as the first portable insulin and drug infusion pumps. He also holds patents for numerous other "Quality of Life" devices.

Kamen has profited well from his past inventions, he owns such luxury toys as a Porsche 928, a Humvee, two Enstrom helicopters and a private island off the north eastern coast of the United States. Some of his good friends include former President George Bush, Sr and NASA administrator Dan Goldin. Many say financial benefit is usually the last thing on Dean's mind. Helping others and impressing himself seem to be his main motivations.

Details about his new invention are very intriguing.
Some of the more interesting officially released clues included:

- IT is not a medical invention.

- The core technology and its implementations will, have a big, broad impact not only on social institutions but some billion-dollar old-line companies. The invention will profoundly affect our environment and the way people live worldwide. It will be an alternative to products that are dirty, expensive, sometimes dangerous and often frustrating, especially for people in the cities.

- IT will be a mass-market consumer product likely to run afoul of existing regulations and or inspire new ones, The invention will also likely require meeting with city planners, regulators, legislators, large commercial companies and university presidents about how cities, companies and campuses can be retro-fitted
for it.

- Over $100 million in financing will be required for a complete rollout, some of it coming from well known investment firm Kleiner Perkins.

In addition to the official clues, this blurb was provided by an anonymous source:
"IT is an Individual Transport device utilizing a rotating electro magnetic field for propulsion. The rotational device is magnetic bearing mounted, thus producing minimal drag. External mag strips may be required; however, it may be done without changing design."

Kamen later had this to say about the leaks, "'Since speculation arising from an unfortunate, unapproved leak of a book proposal has not diminished, I feel compelled to comment further, DEKA is currently working on several exciting projects. The book proposal referred to one. However, the leaked proposal quoted several prominent technology leaders out of context, without their doubts, risks and maybes included. This, together with spirited speculation about the unknown, has led to expectations that are beyond whimsical. We have a promising project, but nothing of the earth-shattering nature that people are conjuring up."

Some of the whimsical suggestions Kamen speaks of may include: a wearable car, a hovercraft, cold fusion, a fuel cell that runs on tap water, a time travel machine, and too many others to list. Internet message boards are overflowing with suggestions as to what the device may be.

A good amount of speculation has been based on a recent patent filed by Kamen for a personal scooter type device. Bob Metcalfe, the inventor ethernet, who has seen the invention, had this to say when asked about it, ''If I invented metal, and came out with the first spoon, which would be the big invention, the spoon or metal?''

Kamen has publicly stated in the past he has been working on a Stirling motor. A slow burn combustion based design first proposed in the 1800s. Alleged to have the ability to run on a very wide range of fuels, many of which are more environmentally friendly then standard petro based fuels. This fact disagrees with the anonymous statement regarding an electro magnetic based propulsion system. However, several of Kamen's past inventions do make use of magnetics for their functions. It is interesting to note that first generation motors of either type would provide little torque. Similar to what would be required to power a transport carrying a single person.

A quick search of the web will yield numerous references to more information on Stirling motors. Interestingly enough, the majority of the websites are not in English. Over the years, many an urban legend has spoke of revolutionary accomplishments which have been hidden away to protect our current addiction to petro based fuels. One has to wonder if Kamen is "The One", that lone nut, who is smart enough to have pulled it off and financially neutral enough not to be pressured by the existing monopolies into keeping his invention hidden away.

Some sources have stated that by 2005 the majority of easily accessible oil on this planet will have been pumped. At some point in the future, it will require more fuel energy to drill and pump, then the amount of energy returned from the ground. In the simplest terms, all the low hanging fruit will be gone soon, anything left is very deep and difficult to get at with current technology. As of January 2001, the economy of the United States is headed into recession. Oil prices are rising. George Bush, Jr is about to take control of the United States from Bill Clinton. It probably should not be forgotten that Kamen is a friend of Bush, Sr. Could something like "IT" save the United States economy from recession? The timing and parties involved all seem very suspect and strongly connected to one another.

The official release date for his invention will be sometime between 2002 and 2003. Until then, we can only speculate. A personal transport powered by a revolutionary propulsion system would probably be a very safe bet. In the long run, once refined, this new propulsion system could be used for everything from cars to ac power generation for households. Perhaps the world is about to change, but this time it is for the better.

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