rare pattern thoughts in a blog

This so-called news tidbit is making the blog rounds lately, but goes back a few years.

Some say it's a hoax. But look at item 19 on CNN Money's 2003 list of the "101 Dumbest Moments in Business":

19| To: Dean Kamen. Re: Vibrating Segway?

Shortly after Mattel releases its Nimbus 2000 broom as part of its line of Harry Potter toys, the vibrating device begins getting the wrong sort of customer raves. "I'm 32 and enjoy riding the broom as much as my 7-year-old," says one enthusiastic mother on Amazon. "My only complaint is, I wish the batteries didn't run out quite so quickly." Mattel stops making the toy, but denies that the unintended value-add is the reason. Says a spokesperson: "It's just not a continued product in our line."

Oh ... and it looks like it was marketed towards boys, too. Mattel thinking those good vibrations....

[Funny aside: Context-sensitive Google Adsense is placing Harry Potter display ads on the Dvorak site's Potter post linked above.]

About the author

Laura Scott is a web designer and developer.