Recently, The Washington Post named Pittsburgh on their “In” list, pushing previous “In” city, Portland, Oregon to the “Out” list.  Following the announcement, several online articles and blogs helped tell the world just what was so “IN” and exciting about the Steel City.

The article “Pittsburgh, PA.:  Entertainment Capital of the World?” gives an awesome glimpse at what makes Pittsburgh so special, even citing something we’re all very, very close to!

Calling the entertainment industry “Pittsburgh’s new steel,” the article references the filming of Batman’s “The Dark Knight” and Tom Cruise’s “One Shot.”  Moving on to TV, the article gives a special shout out to the recent History Channel “Inventionland” reality TV show special.

“And Pittsburgh is even a force on the reality front… the History Channel just aired a pilot of Inventionland, a show based on George Davison’s Willy-Wonka-esque inventor’s shop here,” the article said.

Click here to read the entire article and find out why next year’s article may be “Hollywood, out – Pittsburgh, IN!”

In response to Inventionland’s recent feature in the Wall Street Journal, the “Ridiculously Efficent” blog called Inventionland, “the epitome of a creative office!”

The “Ridiculously Efficient” article goes on to compliment the very nature of how business is done around Inventionland.

“With its high-volume output and whimsical atmosphere, Davison['s] Inventionland has clearly found an ideal (and profitable) blend of work and play,” the article said.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates on Davison and Inventionland in the news!

Recently, the Wall Street Journal published an article called “Workplace Wonderland,” which featured our creative workplace, Inventionland, and our CEO and founder, Mr. Davison!  Since the article was published, the United Inventors Association of America and Yahoo! Finance both republished the Journal’s post! 

This morning, we’ve got a special message from our CEO and founder, in response to the Wall Street Journal article and all the press that he’s received from it!

“I always dreamed of being in the Wall Street Journal when I was a boy in my teens, reviewing the paper with my grandfather.  This is one of the best days of my life.  A moment to reflect and be grateful for wonderful people who have, are and will shape my life and the Mission of Davison.  Happy New Year!

George… Aka Mr. D”

And, Mr. Davison wasn’t the only one who was impressed with the article… or Inventionland for that matter!  Thanks to Yahoo! Finance, who reposted “Workplace Wonderland,” many admirers have shared their comments on “America’s largest invention factory!”

We’ve listed ten of the most creative comments below: 

From Texas to Maryland to… Sweden… everyone’s noticing Inventionland!  So cool!

Recently, we told you all about how news of the History Channel’s “Inventionland” reality show was all over the web.  Well, today, that frenzy continues… with Facebook!

Check out the post below that creationeer and “Inventionland” cast member, Lucky, posted on Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando Odditorium’s Facebook page!

We also saw press about the show on Yahoo! Finance and we’ve already started to receive the first bit of client feedback from the show!  Some of our Directors of New Products passed along these messages from their clients, John and Eugene: 

“I enjoyed the show.  It was great!  It really inspired me to keep on pursuing my dream,” said John.

“Great show and informative of the process of turning out winners,” said Eugene. 

We’ll keep you posted as the “Inventionland” show updates continue to roll in!

It’s quite an exhilarating feeling when you have an idea and you work really hard to bring it to the world.  Having an idea, like all my clients out there, is something that we share in common. 

Something very special is happening here in the next couple of days.  An idea I had for a reality TV show about what we do will be airing on the History Channel at noon on Saturday, December 24th.

As I’m sitting here working with my team, they are telling me that I have it too good, because it’s my birthday on December 23rd, the show airs on the 24th and Christmas is the 25th!  So, this is going to be three days of bliss!

For me, though, the reward is getting the opportunity to have that feeling that idea people get when the world comes in contact with their creation for the first time.  It’s kind of like that tingle when you’re a kid waiting for Santa to arrive!  It’s truly going to be a magical holiday this season.

Happy holidays to all you idea people out there who dare to create something new!

- George M. Davison, Founder & CEO of Davison and Founder of Inventionland

While you’ve been out preparing for all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, you may have missed some awesome media exposure that we’ve received!

Recently, Mr. Davison was the guest of honor on The Pittsburgh Technology Council’s Tech Vibe Radio.  In case you missed the informative broadcast, it’s now available online!

In the 12-minute segment, Tech Vibe Radio’s Jonathan Kersting interviewed Mr. Davison and he clued listeners in on how a new invention can go from an idea to a product on store shelves.

To listen in, click the above image and select “Davison International” or follow this link!

After that awesome segment, we were featured on www.allbusiness.com for past participation in the KISS 96.1 FM Stuff-A-Bus donation event, which benefits the Toys for Tots program.

Read the entire article by clicking the image below or by following this link!

Finally, on December 3rd, our creative-design facility, Inventionland, was featured on website design expert Mishil Patel’s online blog.  In the article, “The Creative Office of Inventionland,” Patel comments on how our creative workspace “provides one of the most intuitive work environments ever.”

Read the entire blog by clicking the image below or by following this link!

Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open for more awesome examples of Davison in the media and we’ll be sure to update you of any upcoming press!

Recently, there has been historic progress made in the way patents are issued in the United States.  After nearly 60 years with no patent reform, President Obama signed the America Invents Act into law September 16, 2011.

So, how does the new law affect the invention industry?

Legislators say they hope the law will be a shot in the arm for the economy, by helping American entrepreneurs and businesses bring their inventions to the marketplace sooner – ultimately creating new products and jobs.  In fact, it is estimated the America Invents Act could make the idea-to-invention-to-business process three times faster than ever before!

After a near-decade effort to reform outdated patent laws, the new legislation is to revolutionize the patent application process in several ways:

One major change the legislation brings is a first-to-file system as opposed to a first-to-invent system.  The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) currently utilizes the latter and awards patents based on invention conception, not patent application.  The America Invents Act is to change the system, awarding patents to the first person who files for one.

Another big change for the USPTO will be their ability to set and collect their own fees for new patent filings.  Additionally, the new law institutes a post-grant review process, in order to weed out bad patents.

The America Invents Act should help the USPTO reduce patent application waiting times; therefore, reducing their current backlog by 75,000, which is great news, as the number of application filings continues to climb.  The USPTO is to offer both start-up and growing businesses the opportunity to have patents reviewed in a third of the time it typically would take.  This “fast-track” guarantees 12-month turnaround, with no additional cost to the inventor.  Legislators say they hope this measure helps create jobs.

Finally, in an attempt to help entrepreneurs avoid time-consuming and costly litigation, the America Invents Act is also to help circumvent those stumbling blocks and make the American patent process mesh with the rest of the world.  In doing so, legislators say it should be easier for American inventors to market their products worldwide.

Undoubtedly, the inventions of today could help spawn the jobs of tomorrow.  In order to do so, the America Invents Act is to update and solidify the foundation for a strong intellectual property system.

Read more about the America Invents Act:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/09/23/entrepreneurs-applaud-america-invents-act-say-it-will-create-more-jobs

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/09/16/america-invents-act-turning-ideas-jobs

http://judiciary.house.gov/issues/issues_patentreformact2011.html

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-20107519-38/patent-overhaul-signed-into-law-by-obama/

We’ve recently heard about an area community project that could use a shot in the arm – and fast!  There is an organized, grassroots campaign to acquire the Aspinwall Marina near Pittsburgh and turn it into a community park.

The campaign, referred to as The Aspinwall Riverfront Park Project, is working in coordination with Aspinwall Borough and Friends of the Riverfront to raise $2.3 million by September 30, 2011, in order to purchase the eight-acre lot, which would feature several trails, two retention ponds, plus the already working marina.

Not only is the effort near and dear to many community members, it is also a top priority for many members of the Davison team.  Mr. Davison has already made a generous donation and our Senior Director of Special Operations has been very active in the effort as well.

Our Senior Director of Special Operations serves as an Aspinwall Riverfront Park Project Steering Committee member and has helped to film and edit videos for the fundraising effort.  For him, the effort is even a bit more personal.

“I actively ride my bicycle and have a family with a three and four-year-old, so seeing the Aspinwall Riverfront Park become a reality is going to be great,” he said.  “The Aspinwall Riverfront Park is a big project of which I have spent many hours working on, so I am eager to see it become a success.”

And, the project is very close to becoming a reality.  As of the end of July, the group was just over $250,000 shy of the $2.3 million goal.  If they fall short of their goal, another group could buy the lot and develop it on their own.  This summer, it was nearly sold in order to become a 450-car parking lot.

According to our Senior Director of Special Operations, a park would a serve greater-community purpose than developing the space.

“Having a bicycle trail and riverfront access so close to home is going to be so beneficial to me and my family, and our community,”  he said.

To donate to the effort, you can visit either the Fox Chapel District Association or Friends of the Riverfront online.  Each site includes easy instructions to help you complete your donation.

You can also help by simply spreading the word!  Share the Aspinwall Riverfront Park Project website with family and friends, who may also want to help.

Finally, you can schedule a time to tour the property by contacting Project Coordinator Susan Crookston at scrookston@comcast.net.  Please keep in mind, for the time being, the park is still private property, so you are not able to visit the area on your own.

Learn more about the effort to acquire the Aspinwall Marina by visiting the Aspinwall Riverfront Park Project website today!

According to About.com, approximately 20% of all inventors are currently female, and that number should quickly rise to 50% over the next generation. Judging by the results of the first annual Google Science Fair, however, the number of future female inventors could be even higher, particularly in the U.S.

Competing with more than 10,000 students from 91 countries, American girls took first place in all three age categories in the recent science fair. The entries were narrowed down to 60 semifinalists, and then to 15 finalists who presented their findings to judges at Google’s y headquarters last month.

The winner in the age 17 – 18 category tackled ovarian cancer and presented research that could improve the effectiveness of a chemotherapy drug. The other winning projects dealt with the effects of air quality on lungs, and reducing cancer-causing compounds produced by the grilling of meat (news: lemon juice and brown sugar marinades – good; soy sauce marinade – not so good!)

Of the 15 finalists, nine of the entries were from boys, so it is clear there are still many budding male inventors. But the sweep of American girls has defeated two long-held stereotypes: that science is a male-dominated field, and that American students are lagging behind other countries in science. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists!

Read the interesting New York Times article on the results of the Google Science Fair!

We’re excited to see another Davison-designed product “cleaning up” on the market!  Last year, the Helping Hand line of car-cleaning items that Davison designed for Faucet Queen was picked up by one of the nation’s premier quality domestics merchandise retailers, Bed Bath & Beyond, for a test run.

Now, the products are selling in the online store of the world’s largest retailer! The innovative line is being sold as the “Helping Hand Car Cleaning Kit with Bucket Bench” on Walmart.com!

“It is great to see the product making new in-roads with a major retailer!” said Davison’s Vice President of Licensing. “I think they are trying to generate different sales platforms for retailers to try and generate new business.”

The complete kit includes the Wash Paddle, Extension Pole, Bristle Brush, Wringer Wash, Wheel Tuner, Interior Detail Tool, Detail Towel and the Bucket Bench. The latter is designed to hold and keep all the items handy, while giving the user a convenient and comfortable place to sit while cleaning and detailing a vehicle.

Davison’s creative coach of special operations and lead designer of the line said it was cool to see the products packaged together and selling online at Walmart.

“It’s very good news,” he said.  “It’s very exciting. I hope they sell [out] and order more!”

As do we! Congratulations to everyone who “had a hand” in developing this awesome product line!

This corporate product was invented and licensed by Davison for its own benefit.

Introducing (Drum roll, please!)…The Davison.com Trade Show Page!

We all know our licensing team “tries longer” to bring our inventors’ ideas to market by attending industry trade shows and expositions. Now, with just a click, current and future clients will know our team is out there representing Davison products across the nation too!

Davison’s President said he thinks the page further reinforces just how well our method works.

“It’s one thing for a company to say they attend trade shows… It’s quite another for a company to say they attend trade shows and have a proven method of getting people’s ideas into the product lines of companies.  We do the latter,” said the President.

Davison’s Vice President of Licensing added, “The page looks great, and it’s another avenue for clients to see the exposure Davison has at trade shows with our corporate clients!”

The new Davison.com Trade Show Page includes a “highlight reel” slide show of photos from previous shows, as well as news updates on each show attended. There’s also a list of upcoming shows, so we can track our team’s journey as they meet with national and international corporations, finding homes for electronics, housewares, hardwares, crafts and pet products!

While Davison regularly attends trade shows in a number of industries, it does not promise that any particular client product will be, or is likely to be, presented or discussed at a trade show.

To check out the new page, visit http://www.davison.com/tradeshows/.