Why in fact, Elon Musk sold the flamethrowers? There are several theories

It All started as a common joke (or at least it seemed so), but soon turned into a real business scheme. In just a few days, the company Ilona Mask The Boring Company sold 20 000 made flamethrowers for $ 500 apiece. It brought the company, now mostly involved in digging tunnels for the construction of high-speed underground transport system, the "extra" $ 10 million.

Yes, you read that correctly. Flamethrowers – a weapon so devastating that even the only country in history to drop atomic bombs on several cities of another state, banned their use in 1978.

Many, of course, after this I decided to ask the obvious question: Why would Elon Musk sell flamethrowers? Does he not find anything more worthy?

The Internet on this subject immediately has several theories.

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To quickly earn a lot of money

Just four days from the start taking pre-orders for the flame throwers at the $ 500 apiece they went like hotcakes. Learn. Ten million dollars of profit in just a few days. Most of this amount will go into the Treasury of the company, some will have to pay the state taxes. But apparently, as he wrote the same portal the Verge, the manufacture of flamethrowers Boring cost The Company literally pennies, because structurally, they represent only airsoft system with a "bolted" with a lighter and a small container of fuel. In addition, the sole marketing company for their promotion took place only on Twitter, but also on the personal page Elon musk in Instagram. For those who are afraid for the safety of themselves and others when using the flamethrower, the company even thoughtfully included in every package free fire extinguisher.

Around the Mask, as his companies are focused a lot of skepticism. For example, consider Tesla as a company has many ideas, but do not have the ability and capacity to implement them. With the sale of flamethrowers (and before that, branded caps and The Boring Company at $ 10 apiece) Musk could once again show that he can sell almost anything, if it's something to do with his name. Even if it is not necessary to the ordinary person. Even if it will never be used. While he said it loudly, clearly and with his usual style. Musk has become almost second jobs (one of the founders and leaders of Apple, who forgot). That too was such a "peccadillo".

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Because it may

Musk spent years trying to build his reputation as a man capable of anything. Sort of "mad genius". But for peace throughout the world. He took on projects which were abandoned or did not others. From self-driving electric car and to send humans to Mars. And if with the second will have to wait, the first already actually ride on public roads.

Musk understands very well how to attract media attention and get the praise. One recent example is his work on restoration of electricity to hospitals in Puerto Rico, which was recently hit by a hurricane. Who would have thought that the source of energy is perfect Tesla batteries? Against this background, the manufacture of flamethrowers, of course, looks are not as altruistic, but the Musk, once again showed that he knows how to attract people's attention.

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to prepare people for the zombie Apocalypse

Well, to a certain "end of the world".

"When will there be a zombie Apocalypse, you'll be glad you have time to buy a flamethrower", — posted by Elon Musk on Twitter shortly after The Boring Company began taking orders.

This is just one of several tweets on the effectiveness of the device against the zombies. You know, there is a certain caste of people (and not only in America) – crazy or not, leave it to the psychiatrists — seriously believes that humanity can face a zombie Apocalypse. If you belong to these people and have not had time to build a bunker in case of zombie Apocalypse, Mask has for you to backup. Certainly in the event that his company will be able not only to resume production of flame-throwers, but also to produce other means of protection against the walking dead.

By the Way, in the same "Twitter" Musk hinted that Boring Company can switch production dzhetpakov and portal guns. And you know what? Considering everything that was said and done Masks before, — it is difficult to understand whether this is a joke, or ultimately, such statements will sooner or later materialize into real products.

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Musk is not a billionaire. He loves the fun

You know what kind of fun is it? Recall, this man went to pester government agencies and ask to give him permission to dig tunnels under Los Angeles after he was tired every day bored in your car while in traffic on the roads loaded with traffic. And he recently straight to Mars. Therefore, the sale of flamethrowers – it is, detail. But not all share his enthusiasm in this matter. At first opposed by several U.S. senators concerned about the already high level of threat of forest fires in the United States, which this year promises to be even higher. Then, a real boycott was announced, the postal service, whose representatives said that the us service is not going to have anything to do with sending things in the title have the word "flamethrower". In this regard, Musk even promised to rename the product and call it "not a thrower". You know, he's just that kind of person.

The media of the West said they would find it difficult to imagine the same Jeff Bezos, or, say, bill gates wielding and advertising on Twitter or Instagram flamethrower of its own production. But Elon Musk is different. People expect him to even more extravagant and crazy ideas. And usually, it turns out that when Musk is doing something "funny", it turns out that he becomes a few tens of millions of dollars richer.

When you're Elon Musk, you several billion dollars and you are well connected in government and government contracts to your companies – for you all doors are open.

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