Jesse Ransom is an engineer, head of Ransom Engineering, an inventor and a regular at Madison’s east side hackerspace, Sector 67. In 2014, he began construction of “The Minnebago,” a bicycle-powered mobile camper, complete with bed, solar power and a hole in the floor for ice fishing. The Minnebago made its debut on the ice of Lake Monona that winter. After a successful ice fishing season, Jesse parked the Minnebago to Madison’s State Street. That’s when the trouble started, with the Madison Police ultimately impounding the 350-pound vehicle.
Jesse spoke with host Brian Standing about the events and what it means.