Elon Musk Delivers First Flamethrowers

VOA News
11 June 2018 (9:30PM)

It may not be a ride in space or even a rocket-powered roadster, but Elon Musk has delivered the first batch of personal flamethrowers, just in time for the July 4th backyard barbecues.

The SpaceX CEO's tunnel construction firm, The Boring Company, delivered 1,000 of the 20,000 limited-run flamethrowers sold last year.

"When the zombie apocalypse happens, you'll be glad you bought a flamethrower. Works against hordes of the undead or your money back!" Musk joked when the devices went on sale.

Even priced at $500 each, they sold out quickly and brought in $10 million.

Musk named the device "Not-a-Flamethrower," in order to get around shipping regulations. The device does shoot a flame four feet from the nozzle.

Musk warned his customers, "Please use as directed to avoid unintentionally burning things down." The package also offered terms and conditions of use drawn from the classic Dr. Seuss book Green Eggs and Ham.

"I will not use this in a house. I will not point this at my spouse. I will not use this in an unsafe way. The best use is creme brulee," it reads.

Some of the first customers were already trying to turn a profit. As of late Monday, several of The Boring Company's Not-a-Flamethrowers were on sale on eBay, with most hovering around $3,000. The instruction manual alone was listed at $250.

The flamethrowers have raised concern among some in California, as the state is in the middle of its dry season. 2017 was the state's most destructive wildfire season on record. Nearly 9,000 wildfires burned more than 456,000 hectares of land and killed at least 46 people.