Not much got in the way of Elon Musk fans determined to win bragging rights for picking up one of the first 1,000 flamethrowers sold by the billionaire’s Boring Co.
Dennis Dohrman hopped in his truck and drove 2,620 miles from North Carolina to Boring headquarters in Hawthorne, California. Dan Thorman cut short a business trip to Singapore and came straight to Saturday’s event from Los Angeles International Airport. George Matus brought along his parents and younger brother on a 10-hour road trip.
“Imagine if you had the opportunity to get a kite and a key from Benjamin Franklin,” said Dohrman, 45, an environmental scientist who drove 39 hours from Hampstead, North Carolina, referencing the Revolutionary War-era inventor and statesman.
Dohrman snagged the first spot in line on Saturday to collect one of the flamethrowers sold to raise $10 million for Boring, a tunnel-digging company that’s working on a futuristic type of train-like transportation known as Hyperloop.
The company is working on a test tunnel in Hawthorne, has permission to work on another tunnel in Maryland, and is bidding on a project in Chicago. A usable tunnel that connects transportation hubs is probably years away.
Held in a parking lot adjacent to Musk’s rocket company, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., the event was a festival of all things Musk, set to the sounds of a mariachi band as customers snacked on complimentary churros from a food truck.
Fan girls as well as boys lingered among the crowd. Jessica and Tyrone Tomke said they were there to support Musk’s goals, particularly easing LA’s infamous gridlock.
“He’s my celebrity billionaire crush,” said Jessica Tomke, 33, who sported a red tank top that read “Hot.”
Her husband, 40, shot back, “I’ll trade you for a new Tesla.”
Musk offered suggestions for those wondering how to use their new flamethrowers, such as lighting fireplaces and barbecues. "No more need to use a dainty ‘match’ to ignite!" he wrote on Twitter.
He also indicated the flamethrower wouldn’t be the last piece of merchandise peddled by the Boring Co., which also raised $1 million last year selling hats. "Will offer a TBC ice blaster before the dry season starts in winter," he tweeted.
