 So for two decades, he tinkered with different failed concepts. But it was while designing a custom ski chair with a pivoting seat that a light bulb finally went off. The ski chair had two small shock absorbers. Think of the springs that keep a car running smooth, connected from each ski up to the chair. This gave him the ability to lean and carve as he coasted on undulating snow. If he just flipped that setup over, he'd have a system where, instead of skis, he could attach articulating wheels onto the frame,