Dean Kamen invented a revolutionary self-balancing transportation device called the Segway. After years of secret development, hype around the mystery "IT" project grew until the Segway was unveiled in 2001. While initial sales were slow, Kamen believes the Segway will transform transportation over the next decade by providing an efficient alternative to cars for short trips. Ultimately, the Segway represents Kamen's lifelong goal of using technology to better society, whether through medical devices, clean energy, or inspiring young engineers. His inventiveness and persistence allow him to bring ambitious ideas to fruition that have the potential to change the world.
Dean Kamen, born in Rockville Center, Long Island in the early 1950s, found school unstimulating and by high school, began exploring electronics, semiconductors, and transistors. Demonstrating his ingenuity, Kamen created a light box that responded to music, managing to sell four to the Hayden Planetarium in New York. This early success led him to sell light boxes to local rock bands and businesses, making tens of thousands annually while working from his basement. Inspired by his brother, a medical student at Harvard, Kamen developed an affordable, portable device to monitor hospital IVs, leading to his first major business breakthrough with the National Institute of Health placing a significant order. This success prompted Kamen to establish AutoSyringe Inc., which quickly grew, leading him to sell the company to Baxter Healthcare for a substantial sum in his early thirties. With the proceeds, Kamen indulged in personal luxuries and invested in his R&D firm DEKA, focusing on innovations such as a climate control system and a quieter, more portable dialysis machine, which became commercially successful. Kamen also founded the annual robotics competition FIRST to inspire young people in science and engineering. His interest in improving mobility for the disabled led to the development of a revolutionary wheelchair concept. After observing the limitations of traditional wheelchairs, Kamen sought a solution that allowed for obstacle navigation and eye-level mobility. The breakthrough came when he realized that instead of maintaining stability, the wheelchair needed to actively recover balance. This led to the creation of a prototype that could climb stairs, named Fred Upstairs. Realizing the project's potential, Kamen partnered with Johnson & Johnson to bring Fred to market, securing funding and earning royalties from the partnership. This endeavor underscored Kamen's commitment to innovation and his ability to turn challenges into opportunities, further establishing his legacy as a prolific inventor and entrepreneur.
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