Elon Musk Just Sold $3.5 Million Worth of Flamethrowers

Elon Musk’s “Initial Flamethrower Offering” is off to a red-hot start.

The same entrepreneur who wants to save the earth from fossil fuels also looks like he wants to burn it down in style, offering up a $500 flamethrower from The Boring Company — his underground tunnel company looking to alleviate traffic. And so far, they’re selling like hot cakes.

After going on sale this weekend, Musk has been tweeting sales updates, with “7k” sold at last check.

Also Read: Elon Musk Hates Turtlenecks and 3 More Takeaways From His 'Rolling Stone' Profile

https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/957854470221660160

That comes out to $3.5 million in flamethrowers sold so far — and counting. The “world’s safest flamethrower” is “guaranteed to liven up any party,” as its preorder page puts it. Musk said he’s capping sales at 20,000, which would bring in a grand total of $10 million. That should help fund an extra tunnel or two.

The $500 flamethrower

Musk’s flamethrower maneuver followed his “initial hat offering” — a spoof on the “initial coin offering” trend with cryptocurrencies — which sold more than 30,000 hats at $20 a pop.

Also Read: Elon Musk Unveils Name of LA Car Sled Venture, 'Ready' to Dig More Tunnels

Is it legal to just buy a flamethrower, though? Apparently, yes, in 48 states. Apologies to aspiring California customers, where you’ll need a permit, and Maryland, where it’s banned outright. Before shipping this spring, “aspiring flamethrower aficionados will be sent a terms and conditions rhyme for review and acceptance,” according to The Boring Company.

The rumor that I’m secretly creating a zombie apocalypse to generate demand for flamethrowers is completely false

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 28, 2018

If you want to see it in action before making a decision, a giddy Musk posted a sneak peek on his Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeeYW0NA1HU/?hl=en&taken-by=elonmusk

And to be on the safe side, TBC is selling a $30 “overpriced” fire extinguisher as well.

8 Eye-Popping Gadgets at CES 2018, From Storytelling Robots to Augmented Reality Glasses (Photos)

Tech companies have gathered at CES in Las Vegas to show off their newest gadgets for 2018. From Samsung's massive 146' TV to the first fingerprint sensor smartphone, check out what has caught our eye so far.
Vivo
Samsung has taken the big screen to a whole new level. "The Wall" is literally bigger than most walls, coming in at 146' wide. The picture is just as eye-catching, with its MicroLED display representing a major step up from the LED screens found on most TVs. If you're looking to cover your living room wall with "The Wall," it's coming out sometime in 2018, although the company hasn't put even a ballpark price tag on it yet.
TheWrap
Rokid's AR Glasses highlight the main reason TheWrap continues to be bullish on AR compared to VR. In short: functionality. Throw on a pair of these wi-fi enabled glasses, look someone in the face, and you'll be hit with their social media profiles and contact information. It's a bit Terminator-esque. The glasses, manufactured out of San Diego, will be arriving later in 2018. Rokid wouldn't put a price on it, yet, but said it'll be "competitive" with VR headsets like Oculus, which run for roughly $400.
TheWrap
Dolls are out, robots are in. That's what AvatarMind wants parents to believe, at least. The China-based company was showing off its three-foot robot, aimed as a 21st century educational toy for kids. The bot will sing lullabies and read stories, among other features. They'll cost around $1,600 to $2,000 when they come out in the U.S. later this year.
TheWrap
Samsung and Apple lost the race to fingerprint sensors to Vivo. The Chinese smartphone maker has put th scanner right on the front of its unnamed phone. Similar to signing in at the gym, simply place your finger on a blue dot at the bottom of your locked screen, and it'll open up. It's the first smartphone to integrate the tech.
VIvo
XYZ's 3D Da Vinci printer shows you can make nearly anything in minutes... even a bust of President Trump, if you want.
Getty Images
Sony is showing off its three new "extra bass" SRS speakers, running between $100 and $250. The Bluetooth-enabled speakers have 24-hours of battery life.
Sony
Japan-based Omron's electronic censors can mirror human movement by building an artificial intelligence-powered ping-pong partner. Unfortunately, you can't buy this for practicing in your basement. But the global company's tech is being used at U.S. companies like Tesla, where it helps assemble its cars.
TheWrap
Saving the adult content for last. Mashable recently pointed out porn accounts for 60 percent of the top virtual reality sites, and the industry is now betting on augmented reality as well. Naughty America, a San Diego-based studio, is displaying an upcoming AR app that'll allow fans to superimpose themselves right next to their favorites adult performers.
TheWrap

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The first fingerprint sensor-enabled smartphone is also on display

Tech companies have gathered at CES in Las Vegas to show off their newest gadgets for 2018. From Samsung's massive 146' TV to the first fingerprint sensor smartphone, check out what has caught our eye so far.

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8 Eye-Popping Gadgets at CES 2018, From Storytelling Robots to Augmented Reality Glasses (Photos)

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