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Sir Richard Branson Invests in Hyperloop

posted by martyb on Monday October 16 2017, @08:53AM   Printer-friendly
from the virgin-territory dept.

Phoenix666 writes:

Richard Branson, the billionaire behind the Virgin brand, has reportedly invested an undisclosed sum in Elon Musk's barmy Hyperloop supersonic tube train project.

Beardy gets to join the Hyperfruitloop board, according to the Beeb, and the firm will also add its ubiquitous Virgin moniker to Musk's firm's name, meaning it will now be known as Virgin Hyperloop One.

The rebrand and ascension of Branson to the board suggests that a large sum has made its way from billionaire Beardy into Hyperloop's coffers, though terms of the deal were not revealed.

"Ever since our creation, Virgin has been known for disruption and investing in innovative companies," burbled Beardy's PR flunkies. "Importantly, Virgin Hyperloop One will be all-electric and the team is working on ensuing it is a responsible and sustainable form of transport too."

"Virgin Hyperloop?"

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  • (Score: 1) by khallow on Monday October 16 2017, @12:24PM (6 children)

    by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Monday October 16 2017, @12:24PM (#582966) Journal
    Is the Register having trouble coming up with retarded nicknames for people? Looks like this nickname started life as an off-the-cuff joke [wikipedia.org] on Top Gear. I guess I'm just annoyed because I spent 15 minutes figuring out who "billionaire Beardy" was.

  • (Score: 2) by Nuke on Monday October 16 2017, @01:25PM (1 child)

    by Nuke (3162) on Monday October 16 2017, @01:25PM (#582976)

    "Beardy" (or rather "Beardie") is the code name for Branson in the UK satirical magazine Private Eye [wikipedia.org]. Private Eye has code names for many public figures (the Queen is "Brenda" for example), and it is an intentional joke in itself that this might give them protection aginst being sued for character defamation.

      "Beardy" is instantly recognisable to UK guys of, let us say, nerdy and techie disposition. Bear in mind that this news item has been taken from a UK website.

    • (Score: 1) by khallow on Monday October 16 2017, @02:04PM

      by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Monday October 16 2017, @02:04PM (#582991) Journal
      I never thought of that. The UK's libel laws are pretty aggressive. Guess I might have trouble with the Private Eye's brand of humor.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 16 2017, @04:02PM (3 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 16 2017, @04:02PM (#583028)

    And what's up with the "Sir" title? That's a Brit thing for Brit-only people. My local chapter of the Loyal Order of Water Buffaloes has anointed me with the title of "Grand Poobah", but nobody outside of the lodge seems to call me Grand Poobah Anonymous Coward.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 16 2017, @04:36PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 16 2017, @04:36PM (#583048)

      None of us knew oh grandest of poobahs.

    • (Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Monday October 16 2017, @07:05PM

      by Phoenix666 (552) on Monday October 16 2017, @07:05PM (#583106) Journal

      It's an appellation that indicates the bearer is an object among a collection of objects owned by a personage called a "monarch."

      French and Americans, among others, prefer the title of "citizen," and hold it equal to any king, queen, or emperor.

      --
      Washington DC delenda est.

    • (Score: 2) by Nuke on Monday October 16 2017, @10:33PM

      by Nuke (3162) on Monday October 16 2017, @10:33PM (#583197)

      And what's up with the "Sir" title?

      It is just a British form of public honour in Branson's case. Most countries have such honours, the USA for example [wikipedia.org].