One year ago I wrote an article entitled, “Dean Kamen’s Miracle Water Distiller, It’s Not Going to Save the World.” Unfortunately I removed the article because I didn’t fill it meshed with the Skewism re-launch very well, but it turns out I was wrong. Every week dozens of people are still stumbling upon this site after searching Google for information on Kamen’s “Amazing Water Distiller.” I’m even getting e-mails from people asking where to get it, so they can try it in third world countries. So I guess it’s time for an update.

It’s been a year, so where’s the distiller?

The same place it’s always been, already invented. In fact, Kamen’s U.S. patent is nothing more than a re-hashed version of the Aqua Technologies distiller, with enough changes to qualify for a patent of its own. And while you’re on the patent page, take a look at the date when it was filed, November 13, 2003.

Many people believe that Kamen first introduced his distiller on the Colbert Report last year, but this is incorrect. Several times over the past five years he has “introduced” the distiller to various outlets. Why re-introduce the distiller several times? Two words: The Segway.

Why Dean Kamen needs the hype.

Kamen spent a large part of his life dedicated to the Segway, a device which he truly believed was going to change the way the world traveled. And when the Segway not only failed to change the world, but flopped completely, he started looking for a way to better market the system. He started to target niche markets like security teams (malls, etc…) and entertainment parks. However, he needed a way to boost the marketing power of not only the Segway, but his name as well. And to do this he created the story of his “miracle distiller” that would not only change the world, but save it.

Kamen is smart enough to know that he can’t generate any new hype about the Segway, but he can generate hype for other “inventions” and that hype will slightly roll over to the Segway, helping his bottom line. In short, Kamen re-introduces his distiller anytime he needs a little exposure. And while this is a brilliant move from a marketing standpoint, it has a large negative side-effect: false hope.

Which brings me to the point… Since Kamen decided to really push the idea of his distiller last year, going so far as to call it something that will “wipe out dirty water and diseases in third world countries once and for all,” he’s done the exact same thing he did with the Segway (only this time he doesn’t actually believe that the distiller will change the world in the way he thought the Segway would). His claims have given false hope to millions of people around the world, in much the same way announcing a “cure” for cancer would.

However don’t get me wrong. Kamen has invented some truly groundbreaking things. His AutoSyringe, all-terrain wheelchair, and robotic limb replacement technologies have made life better for thousands of people. Unfortunately, his vapor distiller is not one of those things. So if you found this article in hopes of finding one of his distillers, stop now, you won’t. Just remember what its true purpose is the next time you see Kamen on television “introducing” it to the world. Again.