North Dumpling Island - Segway Inventor Dean Kamen's Island Country

Maybe you have dreamed of owning your own country. You know just how you would run a nation. All you want is a small island and willing immigrants to populate your land. Perhaps you would be fair and just, or perhaps you would be a dictator, knowing what is best for the masses. Don't give up hope, there are several ways, and Dean Kamen illustrates one highly effective one.

The man who invented the Seway, Dean Kamen, owns this two-acre island. When he was not allowed to build a wind turbine on the island, he threatened to secede from the United States. During this time, the President was H.W. Bush, who happens to be friends with Mr. Kamen. Although Kamen was joking about seceding and becoming his own country, President H.W. Bush played along, and the two signed a non-aggression pact. Kamen's island is fairly well-known and mentioned often in interviews with him.

Although the US has not legally recognized North Dumpling as its own country, Kamen continues the joke of owning his own country or kingdom. He has invented a flag, national anthem, currency-which visitors claim is based on the number pi-postage stamps, and constitution, and amassed a small navy. He refers to the island as the "Kingdom of North Dumpling" and occasionally refers to himself as "Lord Dumpling."

For North Dumpling tourists, the sites to see include a lighthouse and a replica of Stonehenge. They can also visit the wind turbine that was eventually built. The turbine saves on the cost of energy, perhaps providing the US a lesson in non-dependence on foreign energy. On an NPR interview, Kamen joked that he hopes he can set a good example for his neighbors, the United States.

The constitution of Kamen's own country can also be viewed in his house on the island. The government consists of Kamen, and some ministers appointed by him. The founders of Ben and Jerry's were named the co-ministers of Ice Cream. Brunch and Nepotism are among the other minister posts.