People are already torching things they shouldn't with Elon Musk's flamethrowers
Elon Musk's Boring Company got its $500 flamethrowers into the hands of consumers for the first time.
1,000 people got hold of the devices at a Boring Company HQ pick-up party over the weekend, where they torched marshmallows.
For legal reasons, the machines are named "Not-a-Flamethrower."
Some people have already been torching things at home and sharing the images on social media.
Elon Musk's Boring Company got its $500 flamethrowers into the hands of consumers for the first time on Saturday.
The company sold 20,000 of the machines, but the first 1,000 were distributed at an event at the Boring Company's HQ in Los Angeles. People formed long queues to get their hands on their very own flamethrowers.
Musk was happily tweeting away from the so-called "pick-up party."
First 1000 Boring Company Flamethrowers being picked up today! pic.twitter.com/hBMp5fGzAB
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 9, 2018
Flamethrower obv best way to light your fireplace/BBQ. No more need to use a dainty “match” to ignite! If no wood, just drop your flamethrower in fire place! It will generate way more warmth than a quaint pile of logs.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 9, 2018
The name of the fire-spewing machine is "Not-a-Flamethrower," owing to shipping and customs regulations that restrict the transport of anything termed a "flamethrower."
Almost forgot! Due to recent regulatory/customs rules enacted to inhibit transport of anything called a Flamethrower, we have renamed our product: “Not a Flamethrower”.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 9, 2018
Musk tweeted what he claimed was the terms and conditions for the machines, some of which he said are presented in the style of US children's author Doctor Seuss.
Terms & conditions for “Not-a-Flamethrower”
Please use as directed to avoid unintentionally burning things down. For simple & concise instructions, we drew upon wisdom in great Dr Seuss book “Green Eggs and Ham”. #ThrowFlamesResponsibly pic.twitter.com/kgj8W8EOLJ
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 9, 2018
Terms & conditions for “Not-a-Flamethrower”
Please use as directed to avoid unintentionally burning things down. For simple & concise instructions, we drew upon wisdom in great Dr Seuss book “Green Eggs and Ham”. #ThrowFlamesResponsibly pic.twitter.com/kgj8W8EOLJ
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 9, 2018
Last month, Digital Trends walked through what it called the "ridiculous" terms and conditions for the Not-a-Flamethrower.
YouTuber Justine Ezarik unboxed the device in a video over the weekend, in which tech reviewer Faruk Korkmaz commented: "Read the terms, they’re not joking. Even though it's written in a joking manner."
At the pick-up event punters tested out the flamethrowers (which are definitely flamethrowers) by torching marshmallows.
Firing up the @boringcompany flamethrower. I forgot to eat the marshmallow! pic.twitter.com/lkSIA7BK71
— Danny Sullivan (@dannysullivan) June 9, 2018
☑️ flamethrower
☑️ roasted marshmallows
thanks @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/725sGGsXE8
— Brownies & Lemonade (@TeamBandL) June 9, 2018
#MarshmallowRoasting pic.twitter.com/ht7cXckgTF
— Misty Lee (@Misty_Lee) June 10, 2018
After customers took the flamethrowers home they started sharing pictures and videos on social media. These guys flame roasted steaks.
When your friend decides to cook his steak on a @the_boring_company #notaflamethrower. #bbq #playwithfire
A post shared by Pinguino Kolb (@pinguinokolb) on Jun 10, 2018 at 11:50pm PDT on Jun 10, 2018 at 11:50pm PDT
Musk's terms and conditions recommended using them for crème brûlée — these people obliged.
Also here's some creme brulee @risknc made #notaflamethrower pic.twitter.com/sn3cYngSWN
— pinguino 🐧 (@pinguino) June 10, 2018
Not all of the images depicted entirely safe or controlled use of the machines, however.
This included vlogger Ezarik, whose YouTube channel has over 4 million subscribers. She accidentally burned a section of her garden's artificial grass when making a cooking video.
I made a mess... but loving my flamethrower hahahahaha. Can’t wait for you guys to see these videos! @iPhonedo pic.twitter.com/SgqkMOgaaV
— Justine Ezarik (@ijustine) June 10, 2018
This guy lit something he was smoking with the device.
You knew this would happen! @elonmusk @RAWLIFE247 #NotAFlamethrower pic.twitter.com/iJgsZmkEDN
— Maxamilian Demian (@Maxoplata) June 10, 2018
While another man sprayed flames dangerously close to his feet.
My hot new toy, ready for summer bbq’s 🔥 #theboringcompany #notaflamethrower
A post shared by Kevin (@kev_burn) on Jun 9, 2018 at 10:00pm PDT on Jun 9, 2018 at 10:00pm PDT
Some have criticised the sale of the "Not-a-Flamethrower" to the general public, viewing it as a major safety risk.
What possible reason is there for this product to be made available to consumers? For a product such as this to be available for purchase is wrong and very well unsafe. Someone will get hurt. #ElonMusk #NotAFlameThrower https://t.co/ZLhnttfv6a
— Marshall Brentnall (@MarshBrentnall) June 10, 2018
One good way to test whether a public figure is sincere about climate action is whether they sell flamethrowers to private citizens during California's fire season #NotAFlamethrower
— Ketan Joshi (@KetanJ0) June 11, 2018
With 20,000 flamethrowers now in circulation, expect more flame-throwing displays on social media.
SEE ALSO: Elon Musk fights back tears at Tesla shareholder meeting, says past few months have been 'excruciating, hellish'
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