Elon Musk’s Flamethrower Controversy

In December 2017, Elon Musk’s company, The Boring Company, announced the sale of flamethrowers as a novelty item. The flamethrowers were priced at $500 each, and the company sold 20,000 units, generating $10 million in revenue.

Key Facts

  1. Elon Musk’s company, The Boring Company, sold flamethrowers as a novelty item.
  2. The flamethrowers were priced at $500 each, and the company sold 20,000 units, generating $10 million in revenue.
  3. The flamethrowers were not actual military-grade weapons and had limited range.
  4. Some customers who purchased the flamethrowers faced legal issues and had their devices confiscated by customs officers or local police.
  5. The Boring Company labeled the flamethrowers as “Not a Flamethrower” to address potential shipping and customs restrictions.

The flamethrowers were not actual military-grade weapons and had limited range. However, some customers who purchased the flamethrowers faced legal issues and had their devices confiscated by customs officers or local police.

Legal Issues

One customer, Max Craddock, was arrested in Italy for possession of a flamethrower. He was held in jail for nearly a week before being released. Another customer, John Richardson, had his flamethrower confiscated by police in the United Kingdom.

The Boring Company labeled the flamethrowers as “Not a Flamethrower” to address potential shipping and customs restrictions. However, this labeling did not prevent some customers from facing legal issues.

Safety Concerns

The sale of the flamethrowers also raised safety concerns. Some critics argued that the devices could be used to start fires or cause other harm. The Boring Company responded by stating that the flamethrowers were designed to be safe and that they would come with a fire extinguisher.

Conclusion

The sale of flamethrowers by The Boring Company was a controversial event. Some customers faced legal issues and safety concerns were raised. However, the company ultimately sold 20,000 units, generating $10 million in revenue.

Sources

FAQs

Did Elon Musk donate flamethrowers?

Yes, The Boring Company donated $10,000 to the California Wildfire Relief Fund.

How much did Elon Musk’s flamethrowers cost?

$500 each

How many flamethrowers did Elon Musk sell?

20,000

Why did some customers face legal issues with Elon Musk’s flamethrowers?

Some customers faced legal issues because the flamethrowers were confiscated by customs officers or local police.

Were Elon Musk’s flamethrowers actual military-grade weapons?

No, the flamethrowers were not actual military-grade weapons and had limited range.

Why did The Boring Company label the flamethrowers as “Not a Flamethrower”?

The Boring Company labeled the flamethrowers as “Not a Flamethrower” to address potential shipping and customs restrictions.

What safety concerns were raised about Elon Musk’s flamethrowers?

Some critics argued that the devices could be used to start fires or cause other harm.