Early history and pre-release marketing
The Segway PT was known by the names
Ginger and
IT before it was unveiled...
The invention, development, and financing of the Segway was the subject of a narrative nonfiction book,
Code Name Ginger (in paperback as
Reinventing the Wheel), by journalist Steve Kemper. The leak of information from that book led to speculation about the "IT" device prior to release. The speculation created an unexpected advance buzz about the product that was, at times, hyperbolic.
Steve Jobs was quoted as saying that it was "as big a deal as the PC",
[1]though later sources quoted him as saying when first introduced to the product that its design "sucked".
[2] John Doerrspeculated that it would be more important than the Internet.
[1] Articles were written in major publications speculating on it being a
Stirling engine.
[3] South Park devoted an
episode to making fun of the hype before the product was released.
