Tonight, again, we beg the question, do you… “Dare to Invent?” when we feature the fifth in our 13-episode “Dare to Invent” series on YouTube and at Davison.com.  This week’s webisode is live now and features John Iavarone, inventor of the BikeBoard.

In tonight’s episode, the California native faces an “X-treme” problem:  Trying to ride a conventional scooter, enjoying the ride, then being jolted off by uneven pavement or stray twigs.  Worse yet, John has to watch in horror as his kids do the same thing!

He wants a safer, sturdier scooter that is more unique and maneuverable; so, he takes matters into his own hands and brings his idea for a “west-coast” scooter, which combines surfboarding, skateboarding and biking… to Davison!

Nathan leads the creative team and, with a little help from fellow creationeer (and, often, test-dummy), Clay, they overcome all obstacles and the BikeBoard proves to be a rolling success!

John’s invention also reaches another exciting milestone when an international giant features the BikeBoard on some of their “cheesiest” packaging!

“This is an entrepreneur’s dream, to have a company like this to work with,” says John. “This has been a great relationship.”

Tune in NOW to watch John “Dare to Invent” and see all the twists and turns the BikeBoard takes as it goes from idea to reality!

Here is a sneak peek of some photos from this week’s “Dare to Invent” webisode:

A typical project does not get a royalty agreement, sell in stores or generate a profit.

Recenty, Mr. Davison and our production team made a “royal” visit in St. Louis!  While the pictures are breathtaking, the purpose of the trip to the Midwest was to surprise our client, Lennell, with the very first royalty check from her invention, the TheraPED.

Lennell’s TheraPED is an innovative spa-therapy product that she came up with to provide comfort from the “hot feet” she experienced as a result from multiple sclerosis.  Now, the TheraPED has been licensed by Health Enterprises and is marketed to people everywhere, who would like to provide hot or cold therapy to sore feet and toes.

So far, the product has been a big hit among yoga and zumba bloggers and was even given out in gift bags at the 45th Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards!

So, the Davison team hit the road to surprise Lennell with all of the TheraPED’s success.  After talking with members of the production team, it seems that pulling off the surprise was quite the task!

According to Mike, a member of the production team, Lennell almost arrived to the surprise party before any of the guests!

“Jasmin, Lennell’s daughter, was driving her mother and aunt to the party.  They were scheduled for an arrival at 6:00 p.m. sharp for the surprise party… the guests were supposed to arrive by 5:30 p.m.  Jasmin told me that their house was 10 minutes away from the building we were having the party in… a little after 5:00 p.m., I got a message from Jasmin… she said “We’re leaving now.  See you soon.”  I was worried that they would be arriving at 5:15 p.m., even before the guests!” said Mike.

Mike said he went to the lobby to wait for the guest of honor and tried to think of a way to logically delay her arrival at the party, but 5:30 p.m. came and went.  He met several of the other party guests and directed them into the party… but, there was still no Lennell, until right at 6:00 p.m.

“Lennell was totally surprised.  I asked Jasmin how she delayed their arrival.  She said that she pretended that she was lost and drove around the city until it was time.  Apparently, Lennell thought that her daughter had lost her mind, getting lost in the city that she knew so well,” said Mike.  “I should have known to trust Jasmin.” 

According to Adam, another member of our production team, overall, the trip was a huge success!

“The St. Louis trip was great.  The city was beautiful and the Arch was amazing.  Lennell and her family were very welcoming and a lot of fun.  I think we all felt like we were part of the family, especially during the surprise party.  It was a great moment that we can’t wait to share with everyone,” said Adam.

And, share they will!  Lennell, the TheraPED and more highlights from the St. Louis trip are scheduled to air in a future Dare to Invent webisode!

According to another member of the production team, Jimm, the quick trip proved for some awesome footage of our client Lennell, including the royalty check presentation and a little bit of the city, too.

“Our primary focus was to film an interview with Lennell and celebrate the success of her TheraPED… by presenting her with her first royalty check.  Lennell and her family welcomed us into their home and city; we had a great time… with her entire family.  We were able to get some video footage at Busch Stadium and the Arch.  The restaurant where we presented Lennell with her first royalty check probably has the best view of the Arch in the city,” said Jimm.

Lane also had an amazing time on the shoot in St. Louis, “We all had a really great time working together. It was a super rad experience. Lennel was a pleasure to meet and hang out with. The same goes for the family. They were all just so inviting!”

As if picturing all of that is not enough of a tease, we’ll have to wait for the Dare to Invent webisode to see the rest.  However, Mr. Davison offered us a great overview of what’s to come!

“Everyone did a great job.  To think that this whole project started as an idea years ago and it has brought together such wonderful people all along the way to its eventual, glorious surprise evening that was just… well, what it is really all about, isn’t it… people helping people to make the world a little better for our friends and neighbors.  Congrats to everyone at Davison, the Health Enterprises team, Lennell’s family, Lennell and all those who will benefit from this great new invention,” said Mr. Davison.

Lennell’s Dare to Invent debut is scheduled for late June.  Stay tuned!

A typical project does not get a royalty agreement, sell in stores or generate a profit.

As you may or may not be aware, March is the month where we celebrate all of the glorious contributions that females have made to the world.  It’s Women’s History Month and this year’s theme is Women’s Eduction – Women’s Empowerment!

This year’s theme is thanks to a very recent phenomenon… the number of women in American colleges now outnumbers the number of men!  Read more about this year’s theme and the journey that women took to get to the head of the class at the National Women’s History Project webpage!

And, talk about empowering…  Sarah Blakely, the inventor of Spanx, is the world’s youngest female self-made billionaire!  What are Spanx?  They’re body-shaping innovations that range from undergarments to swimsuits, acitvewear and men’s undershirts!

Just like every inventor, Blakely’s invention has a great story to accompany it as well.  According to Spanx.com, “… Blakely was getting ready for a party when she realized she didn’t have the right undergarment to provide a blemish-free look under white pants.  Armed with scissors and sheer genius, she cut the feet off her control top pantyhose and the Spanx revolution began!”

The company now offers over 200 products; but, don’t be fooled.  Like many inventors, Blakely’s first attempt at success ended in failure.  But, that certainly didn’t stop her!

“People have million dollar and billion dollar ideas daily; and, you have to trust your gut.  Go for it and if you fail at it, that’s great… because it just means… change something, do something a little bit different.  I mean, every failure is definitely a gift and it should just not stop us in our tracks,” said Blakely.

Take a few minutes and hear it from Blakely herself!  ABC News recently showcased Blakely as their “Person of the Week” and her story is one you must hear!

What an awesome inspiration for Women’s History Month!

We’d also like to highlight some of our very own female inventors and their inventions.  Read about their products by clicking on the links below: 

Joy: Party on the Go

Kay: Pugz Shoes

Diane: Hydro Bone

Sharon: Cool Cot House

Jean: Meatball Baker

Lennell: TheraPED

 You can also see more about each of these inventors in our Dare to Invent webisode series!  If their inspirational stories have not yet aired, stay tuned for upcoming releases! 

Congratulations to female inventors and innovators everywhere!  Happy National Women’s History Month!

Sources:  National Women’s History Project, Spanx, ABC News

A typical project does not get a royalty agreement, sell in stores or generate a profit.

It’s time again to release another exciting “Dare to Invent” webisode!  The fourth in our 13-episode “Dare to Invent” series is set to air on YouTube and at Davison.com, tonight at 7:00 p.m.

This week, we’re showcasing our client, Ed, in his pursuit for a more convenient and humane way to tether his dog outdoors!

You see, Ed got tired of his precious pup’s chain knocking over the food and water bowl while the pet was tethered in the yard… not to mention, the dish and the chain were often in the way of the lawnmower!

So, taking matters into his own hands, Ed brought his idea for a “better” tethering device to Davison.

In tonight’s “Dare to Invent” webisode, our Creative Coach, Jason, and his creative team quickly get to work, designing a tethered dish that will sit under a lawnmower’s reach.

After a few failed licensing attempts, major modifications and some intense testing, thanks to Clay, you can watch as Ed’s Better Tether goes into production!

See the hilarious details as the Davison Inventing Method is used to invent Ed’s “Better Tether” tonight at 7:00 p.m.!

For now, we’ve got a sneak peak of some images from the innovative “Dare to Invent” webisode:

A typical project does not get a royalty agreement, sell in stores or generate a profit.

Just as we predicted, one of our talented creationeers, Lucky, has not kept us “hanging.”  Today, we’ve got Lucky’s perspective on bringing some innovation into your closet!  From Lucky’s mind… to your desk! 

As consumers, we are cognizant of the design of certain objects and products:  cars, electronics, appliances and even food.  But, [there are] some things that we use in our daily lives that we would never give a second thought to the design of; because, they’re so commonplace, so utilitarian, that it seems they must only exist in one color or one shape.  For example, the clothes hanger. 

Sure, they range in material from wood, to wire and plastic; but, whenever we think of a hanger, we conjure up the same image of a triangle with a question mark at the top.  The design hasn’t changed much in the last 100+ years that the hanger has been around, which is why contemporary designers are looking at new ways to improve on an old solution and even solve a problem [that] we didn’t know we had.

The Paperclip Hanger by Japanese designer Jaehyung Hong takes the common material and construction of the wire coat hanger and the paperclip, and melds them into a multi-function clothes hanger.  Usually used to bind together sheets of paper, the Paperclip Hanger neatly holds pants, unmentionables, and smaller garments that would usually fall off traditional hangers, while functioning as a normal hanger.

Italian design company Almove specializes in products made from lightweight materials that fulfill a single need, while adhering to clean lines and essential forms.  For their contracting coat hanger, they’ve kept the question mark, but replaced the triangle with an accordion form.  This allows for the hanger to be easily packed in an overnight bag, suit case or even a briefcase.  It also prevents the user from having to insert the hanger from the bottom of the garment, allowing it to fit through the neck. 

Stretching out the neck of a garment to fit the hanger in the top is something we’re all guilty of and a big problem for those who don’t have the time to insert the hanger from the waist:  people who are impatient, retail workers and those in the garment industry.  A lot of time can be saved by being able to quickly insert a hanger.

This is why we have Pinch:  a simple solution to a problem we know existed, but [may have] never really cared to solve.  A mixture of injection-molded Polypropylene and Elastomer, the product functions by doing what its name tells you to, pinch. 

By performing this simple and intuitive gesture, it bends the arms down, allowing you to comfortably fit the hanger inside the garment, without damaging the fabric.  For someone who uses a lot of hangers, this can save a lot of time… and a lot of collars.  Let’s hope this one makes its way to market!

PINCH – Easier way of fixing clothes on a hanger from Jaineel shah on Vimeo.

Source: Yanko Design, Cool Hunting, Coroflot

Just as we were preparing to release tonight’s “Dare to Invent” webisode, we opened up the pages of a local publication and read all about it! 

Nestled in the pages of “The Horse Trader,” you can find Mr. Davison, our client, Joseph, (inventor of the Silicone Dessert Bar Pan), plus a brief article about our innovative method and some of our featured inventors!

The same article also appears online at the “San Diego NewsCape” and “Ingenious Ideas,” and even includes some “Dare to…” tips for prospective inventors:

“Dare to Take Action:  Do your research to see if there is already something similar on the market.

Dare to Share:  Share your idea with others. A nondisclosure or confidentiality agreement will protect you from having your idea stolen.

Dare to Evaluate:  Evaluate your idea honestly and think about how to market the product.

Dare to Ideate:  Shape your creation with sketches, illustrations and photos.

Dare to Leave a Paper Trail:  Use a notebook to write down all your ideas.”

Finally, the article encourages all readers to Dare to… Watch our innovative webisode series!  This week’s episode, the third in our series, features Joseph Springer and his Silicone Dessert Bar Pan.  It’s live NOW on YouTube or through a link at Davison.com!

Watch “Dare to Invent” now!

A typical client project is not licensed, sold in stores or profitable.

We all know the world of inventing is a risky one that is all about taking chances on ideas. Take Mr. D for example, his first invention idea was not as successful as he would have liked, because he was beat to the marketplace by a larger corporation.

Well, it turns out that these “failed” inventions are common with many of history’s famous inventors.

Today, we’ve found some not-so-great inventions from some of the most famous, most successful inventors of all time. Whether these ideas were just ahead of their time or simply just didn’t work, they are definitely worth a second look!
 
Thomas Edison’s Talking Doll – This famous inventor had over 2,000 patents to his name before he died, so it is not hard to believe that one of his creations just didn’t quite work. Perhaps a predecessor to today’s talking dolls, Edison tried to combine his very successful phonograph with a children’s doll, in hopes that little girls everywhere could communicate with their dolls during playtime. Unfortunately, the contraption had a few fatal flaws and it cost the equivalent of $240-$600, which was a bit pricey for Edison’s day.
 
Leonardo da Vinci’s Water-Walking Shoes – Famed artist and inventor Leonard da Vinci certainly had a creative flair that didn’t stop with a few paint strokes. In fact, da Vinci tried to solve a problem that we’ve still not touched – walking on water! His inflated shoes resembled water skis, but were nearly impossible to balance and move in!
 
Gunpei Yokoi’s Virtual Boy – Thanks to Yokoi, every ’90s child can lovingly remember his or her Nintendo Game Boy. What they may not remember is Yokoi’s Virtual Boy, a game system, with 3D graphics, that users were supposed to strap to their faces in order to play! The rumor is that Yokoi’s failed invention was the reason the former Nintendo genius left the company.
 
Sir Clive Sinclair’s Miniature TV – Among Sinclair’s electronic pocket calculator and fold-up bicycle was also his “pocket television,” a brick-sized portable TV. Although it was a genius thought, the mini TV’s screen was tiny, reception wasn’t great and it didn’t fit in most pockets!

Although they may have found failure on their pathway to success, it was the “no quit” attitude of these great inventors that brought us many, very valuable inventions. Read more about these great innovators’ failed inventions here!

Today’s news is coming straight from one of our very own creationeers, Lucky!  A couple weeks ago, we featured Lucky’s top five apps for inventors.  Now, he’s back, with his perspective on innovative product design!

From Lucky’s mind… to you!  

Imagine having a product that you use [as] an infant, a child, a teen and an adult… something that is both utilitarian and stylish.  You’re probably thinking of the blanket you had as a child; but, one designer, David Singelyn, has endeavored to create a piece of furniture to follow you throughout your life.  Dubbed “Gro Furniture,” the crib/bed/desk hybrid is designed to get the most use out of one piece of furniture.  Taking a basic frame of bamboo plywood, the owner is able to use several modules that allow the crib to become a bed for a small child, a day bed, and eventually, a desk, creating a piece of furniture that can last a lifetime.

Gro Furniture is not the first well-designed product that serves multiple purposes, of course.  In 2008, Moreno Ferrari designed a line of clothing for C.P. Company that went from fashion to functional gear.  The Transformable Armchair, for example, was a raincoat that the wearer could take off and inflate into an armchair.  [It was] certainly not the most practical design, but [was] visually appealing and could be useful in marine or camping situations.

And, speaking of marine life, if you’re the boating type, the Amphicar was the only mass produced amphibious automobile available to the American public. 

It was powered by a Triumph Harold engine and was capable of speeds of 70 mph on dry land and 7 mph in the water.  It could drive from land, directly into the water, with no need to retract its wheels.  Unfortunately, the company went under when EPA and DOT regulations went into effect in 1968, but Amphicar enthusiasts still restore and drive these cars today!

As promised, you will be hearing a lot more from Lucky in the future.  Every couple of weeks, he’ll be giving us his perspective on what’s hot in the invention industry!

Stay tuned for more!

[Source: Yahoo News, Fab.com, Found_NYC, The International Amphicar Owner's Club.  Amphicar Trio Photo Credit: Fran Gealer]

What have puppy style, keep pets paws warm in harsh weather conditions, were designed for one of our clients and have received awesome amounts of press since their 2010 market debut?  Well, if you guessed anything other than Pugz Shoes for Dogs, we suggest you go back and read some old blog articles to catch up on these hot items!

We’re happy to announce that the adorable Davison-designed doggie boots are back in the press!  This time, Pugz were featured on none other than CNBC, as part of their Small Business section!

The article, titled “Cutting Edge Products for your Pet” showcased the faux-fur and faux-leather boots alongside several other innovative pet products, like a zebra-printed doggie pillow, canine cupcakes and a stylish puppy quilted puffer coat!

Including a photo of the booties, a link to the Hugs Pet Products website and a short write-up on Pugz, the CNBC article deems the shoes “one of Hug’s best-selling products” and a big hit over the 2011 holiday season.

CNBC writers even talked with Hugs’ spokeswoman Kristie Vossler, who gave a little advice for first-time Pugz wearers!

“The first time a dog wears them, they’re not used to them, so they walk funny,” Vossler said. “People are very, very into seeing their dogs in Pugz.”

And, we are very, very into seeing Davison designs making the news!  See the CNBC article for yourself here!

In conjunction with Hugs Pet Products, who licensed Pugz, our newly-released Dare to Invent webisode series and our social media campaigns, we’re giving away a free pair of Pugz on Facebook!  After you watch the latest episode, head on over to our Facebook page for details on how to win a pair for your four-legged friend!

A typical client project is not licensed, sold in stores or profitable.

Mr. Davison, our Inventionland creationeers and one of our clients are back at it in tonight’s “Dare to Invent” webisode!  This week’s episode features Michigan inventor, Kay, and her Pugz Shoes! 

For our client, Kay, and her two Shelties, Autumn Angel and Rough Spot, taking a December trot in the snow, with her neighbor, Janice, and her golden retriever, was nothing close to walking in a winter wonderland.  Instead, their faithful friends would wind up with either cold, wet snowy paws or even salt-soaked paws, from treated roads and sidewalks.

“I needed something that would stay on and protect their paws… [Something to] keep their paws from getting dry and cracked,” Kay said.

For Kay, the logical solution was boots for her pups.  Follow along  as Kay and her Pugz Shoes take the journey though project inception, development, licensing and beyond! 

“I would advise [future inventors] to stay positive and do some research… Don’t get discouraged, it can happen,” said Kay.  “I’m a firm believer… nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

Tonight’s episode is live right now!  Tune in on YouTube or through a link at Davison.com! 

After you watch, head on over to our Facebook page for details on how to win a pair of Pugz for your four-legged friend!

The Pugz Dare to Invent webisode is the second in our interactive 12-video series, which debuted February 9th and portrays Davison clients and their inventions.  Tune in March 8th for the third interactive Dare to Invent webisode! 

A typical client project is not licensed, sold in stores or profitable.