Inventors who have significantly improved the way we go about everyday life are well-known: Edison, da Vinci, Franklin, etc. In hindsight, we tend to skew historical significance toward indisputable facts: “I can’t live without light bulbs! And, how about those bifocals for reading those books?” As much as inventing harkens back to history, it also alludes to the limitless possibilities of man, the American Dream and, most importantly, fun.
 
May is National Inventors Month, and since Davison supports inventors from all walks of life and inventions both big and small, we’d like to shine the light on some lesser-celebrated visionaries and inventions that have contributed to the betterment of the human race – and to the fun of it. 
 
George de Mestral – Velcro
Learning to tie our shoes is a right of passage, a great gauge of how our children are advancing and another step toward their growing independence. But, until that point, George de Mestral and Velcro can be thanked for getting our children in their shoes in under four hours, so we have more time for grass cutting, dish washing and bed making! And, after a lifetime of chores, who wants to retire and waste more time tying their shoes? 
 
Brooke Miller – Pooper-Scooper
No over-glorifying the credence of this invention: Keeps hands away from well, you know…  and, inventions like the Pooper-Scooper laid the groundwork for other familiar Davison designs, like Potty Paws!  
 
Ron Popeil – Ron Popeil has created countless convenience products over his long inventing career and can be considered one of the founding fathers of “As Seen on TV” products.   
 
Kevin G. Kinsella – The Basketball Return
Remember the kid down the street with all the cool gadgets who had this? We were blown away by how much more interested we were in the concept of this invention than in shooting baskets! 
 
Unknown – The Dachshund Bun
Every time we see this, we promise ourselves that it will be the last time we’re utterly delighted by it – but it never is.
 
Great inventions come in a variety of shapes, sizes and uses. As we celebrate National Inventors Month this May, if you’ve been bit by the invention bug, check out how we can help get their ideas off the ground!

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

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“I was horrified and thought, ‘I need to put a stop to this,’” Christine said.  “I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be better in the shape of a bowl?’  That would solve the mess, but still be delicious.”

Although the self-proclaimed obsessive baker waited several years to take her vision to the next level, Christine eventually found the motivation to move forward with her delicious idea after baking a batch of cookies and sharing her idea with, of all people, her personal trainer.

“He said, ‘You have to pursue this!’  He had a friend, who had worked with Davison; [so], I was actually referred… and I took his advice,” said Christine.

Needless to say, his advice and Christine’s delectable design are paying off!

With the help of Davison’s creative team, Christine’s Cookie Bowl has been licensed by Xtraordinary Home Products under their Chicago Metallic brand and is now selling as the Brownie Bowl on QVC – on TV and online!

Cookies, brownies… and, oh, so much more!

Thanks to its sleek, silicone design, the Brownie Bowl can cook at any temperature, with any recipe.  So, users can bake cookies, cakes, breads, brownies, cereal treats, muffins… nearly anything… and they bake up evenly every time.  The Brownie Bowl is even dishwasher safe for easy clean up!

We highly suggest you check out the video on QVC.com, but with fair warning… you’ll probably leave hungry and with some new silicone bakeware!

But, Christine Dared to Invent… Dare to Watch! 

The client has not made a net profit on this product. A typical project does not get a royalty agreement, sell in stores or generate a profit.

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Almost a hundred years later, these devices continue to delight, entertain and educate millions every year. A cursory search of YouTube reveals over 15,000 videos. In 2010, the band OK Go made a video centering around a massive Rube Goldberg machine constructed for them by Synn Labs, a Los Angeles-based creative collective. The video for “This Too Shall Pass” has since been viewed almost 36 million times and includes a Lego diarama, a guitar that plays music on glasses with spoons, a model of the Mars Rover, an exploding TV, paint canons and an actual car.
 
A few weeks ago, a team of students from Purdue University set a new world record for the World’s Largest Rube Goldberg Machine. Their invention successfully completed 300 steps, and along the way made toast, juiced oranges, put stamps on envelops and ultimately popped a balloon, completing the challenge. The machine was part of the annual Rube Goldberg Machine Contest that started in 1949, and has occurred continually since 1988. It seeks to bring together and challenge the best and brightest minds at the high school and college levels in the United States, and as of this year, invites international students to participate as well. Past winners have won world records, gone on to design for cities and major corporations and have built amazing machines that range from re-creating Super Mario to developing new technology, specifically for the machines.

It’s not all about the science of the machines, though. Sometimes, it’s about the art of complexity. A Dutch design group, HEYHEYHEY, has turned Rube Goldberg machines into an art form. They’ve sought to create something engaging, entertaining and physical in a world of 3D, rendered-reality and Photoshop. Their latest project, Mini Melvin, miniaturizes the machine and houses it in two vintage suitcases. A 38-step process results in the “writing” and stamping of a postcard that says, “Wish you were here, Melvin, XOX.” Mini Melvin evolved from a much larger work created for the 2010 Dutch Design Week. It, in itself, was a marvel and worth watching. With Mini Melvin, HEYHEYHEY sought to create a vintage/forgotten feel with the piece, further engaging the audience with a warm, comforting feel. Both Melvin and Mini Melvin document and broadcast their viewers on the Internet as well, self documenting the process, the viewer and their reaction to it.

Almost 100 years later, Rube Goldberg has proven himself to still be relevant, influencing art, film, music and helping to shape the lives of young people everywhere. Remember: an invention doesn’t have to be elegant or simple or complicated. Sometimes, it can just be entertaining and silly. Don’t be afraid to think way outside of the box.
 
[Sources: CNN, Penn State Live, Melvin the Machine, The Official Rube Goldberg Site, Wired]

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Well, blogger Toni Spilsbury is offering a Davison-designed solution for moms who love to cook on her blog, “The Busy Mom’s Guide to Making Dinner.  Saving Time.  Saving Money.”

The “Mothers Who Love to Cook Gift Guide” post features our client (mother and grandmother!) Jean’s idea, the Meatball Baker!

Spilsbury calls her gift list, which features several innovative cooking items, the “best of the web for that special mom” and says that she “personally hand-picked each of [the] fabulous items as something [she] would love to receive.”

Specifically, Spilsbury says the Meatball Baker is a “brilliant baking pan [that] produces beautiful meatballs.”

She even mentions Jean’s innovative thinking when she says, “This product was invented by a mom who got tired of having her meatballs fall apart.”

Also making Spilsbury’s list were other big-name kitchen brands like Le Crueset, Pyrex and Cuisinart.

Jean’s Meatball Baker was licensed by Chicago Metallic and currently sells there for $21.99.

So, if you’re still trying to decide how to pamper your mom this Mother’s Day, consider doing it the Davison-designed way!  

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According to Christine, her cafeteria was noted for serving enormous chocolate chip cookies; several members of the football team were noted for the “unique” way they devoured the cookies.

“The football players would get [the cookie], then pour milk all over it… and their tray,” said Christine.  One of those football players was Christine’s then-boyfriend.

“[He] was always doing it.  I was horrified and thought, ‘I need to put a stop to this,’” said Christine.  “I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be better in the shape of a bowl?’  That would solve the mess, but still be delicious.”

Christine shared the idea with her mom, but it wasn’t until she had moved on to performing arts school in New York City that she decided to take action.  

Around 2008, Christine, a self-proclaimed obsessive baker, had baked a batch of cookies for her personal trainer.  She also told him about her “dunked cookie” idea, not realizing that he already had a connection that just might help her out. 

“He said, ‘You have to pursue this!’  He had a friend, who had worked with Davison; [so], I was actually referred… and I took his advice,” said Christine.

While she said she would have loved to have pursued her idea on her own, Davison was able to provide her with the educational help she needed to take her idea to the next level. 

“I don’t think one person could do it alone… not without experience,” said Christine, who also said she typically is very skeptical of taking risks.  “[I said] I’m just going to do it.  I didn’t research or read any reviews.  I was, kind of, just all in!”

According to Christine, she didn’t really have any expectations as to where the idea might go.

“It’s a risk… you just don’t know!  [I thought that] just to have tried was a step,” said Christine.

After finding out that her idea was not currently on the market, Christine said things started to look good.

“[My director] kept me informed.  I felt safe and confident with him.  He called monthly with updates,” said Christine.

However, Christine said that while the licensing department was working on finding a company interested in her idea, she was uncertain if it would ever get off the ground.

“I didn’t hear anything for two years.  I was getting mad, [but] you have to be patient with it.  [Davison] was still doing the work,” said Christine, who also said she relied on her mom and her fiance’, George.

“They are my biggest support system and the biggest fans of my cookies!” said Christine.

In a way, Christine said she was captivated by the suspense of waiting for an update on her idea.

“I think it’s fun to not know what’s going to happen… [Davison] definitely took my product and ran with it… I think it’s going to pay off in the end,” said Christine.

Christine’s product has been licensed as Xtraordinary Home Products’ (XHP) Cookie Bowl and has spawned their Brownie Bowl, included under XHP’s Chicago Metallic brand.  The Brownie Bowl is headed for its selling-debut on QVC.

Our inventor, Christine, is headed for a debut of her own.  She is set to play the role of Marysol in “The Night Never Sleeps,” an action-drama film that premiered in early April!  Check out the movie’s Facebook fan page here! 

Congratulations to Christine and everyone that has worked on making her “dunked cookie” into the delicious Cookie Bowl and Brownie Bowl! 

Christine’s invention is proving to be a slam dunk!  Tune in next Monday for some more big Brownie Bowl news!

The client has not made a net profit on this product. A typical project does not get a royalty agreement, sell in stores or generate a profit.

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It’s time again to release another exciting “Dare to Invent” webisode.  This week, our creationeers are getting… well, a bit creepy!

The seventh in our innovative 13-episode series features Pennsylvania native, Julian Smith, inventor of “The Best Stink Bug Trap Ever!”  The new webisode is NOW crawling on YouTube and Davison.com!

Just like you and me, Julian was your average, everyday person; but, Julian’s home was filled with uninvited house guests… stink bugs!

Now, we all know there are plenty of bug repellents and traps on the market.  Unfortunately, existing products didn’t seem to “put the boot” to Julian’s smelly visitors!

So, he took matters into his own hands and even created a model stink bug trap out of a soda bottle.  He brought his idea and working trap to Davison.

Tim, a talented team of Inventionland Creationeers and one very cooperative “test-bug” began buzzing away to make Julian’s trap appealing to bug victims and a friendly-fit for companies’ product lines.  After some intense testing and even a feature on a local news channel, Julian’s “The Best Stink Bug Trap Ever” is ready for production and to see the light of store shelves!

Tune in NOW to see all of the hilarious details as Julian “Dares to Invent!”

We’ve also compiled a few photos to get your mind crawling!

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

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You may have noticed new life blooming outside, but the spring has also brought new life to one of Inventionland’s favorite attractions, Davy’s Treehouse!  Mr. Davison’s secret hideaway appears the same on the outside; but, inside, it has really “branched” out!

We talked with our Executive Director of Design, who told us that he was the mastermind behind the incredible renovation.

“I was inspired by the TV show “Numb3rs,” he said.  Then, he explained how one of the show’s main characters worked in a garage that was surrounded by chalkboards that he would utilize to solve problems.

Fast-forwarding that concept to today, our Executive Director of Design decided that he wanted to panel the inside of the treehouse with lighted dry erase boards; so, he took his idea to our founder, creative genius Mr. Davison.

“He said, ‘That sounds awesome, do it!’” said our Executive Director of Design.

He gave his creative concept to an expert team of Creationeers, who perfected the vision and added some extras.

 According to our Executive Director of Design, there are several secret panels hidden within the treehouse.  Of course, due to confidentiality, our lips are sealed!     

“It’s ultra-modern,” said our Executive Director of Design.  “It’s just great for brainstorming.”

So, what did Mr. Davison think of his new tree-top hideaway?

“In my opinion, our Creationeers have built the greatest brainstorming environment ever invented.  When you start, all the walls are white and by the time the ‘storm’ is over, what was once a thought in thin air, leading other thoughts from thin air into illustrations, which cause the ‘storm’ to grow and grow until the walls of ideas surround us and… well, you get the idea… we have lightning in a treehouse (not a bottle),” said Mr. Davison.

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There is simply nothing better than lovely locks. The bob, the beehive, the mullet, the mohawk, the Hamill Camel, corn rows, afros… oh hair!

We made a musical about it; spend billions of dollars to tame it, color it, grow it; and we buy wigs and add weaves to make it better than that we can grown on our own.

Ours is a culture obsessed with hair. It’s nothing new. As long as there have been humans, there has been hair envy. The Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans paid attention to every hair on their heads; and it’s pretty much the same today.

But, let’s focus on some more recently invented hairstyles. If nothing else, it’s good for a laugh. We could have told you that anything called ‘the beehive’ was a bad idea!

Stylish, Inventive Hairstyles to Celebrate

1950s:  Plenty of Elvis imitators could be seen walking around. Guys were super slick with greased-up pompadours and ladies were lovely with long bobs and equally-stylish pixie cuts. The bouffant was also big (literally) and the ponytail made an appearance.

1960s:  Plenty of the looks from the 50’s had staying power… and the beehive was born. Bigger was clearly better; looks were full-bodied and voluminous! Generally speaking, curlers were ‘in’ and hairstyles took quite a bit of work to achieve perfection.

1970s:  Holy hippies! Looks were longer and less ‘done up.’ Parted in the middle and straight down to the waist was a common style. The shag made an appearance and the feathered look was hot, thanks to Farrah! The Hamill Camel, popularized by figure skater Dorothy Hamill, was a terrific short hairstyle. And, many African-Americans popularized a more free look with the advent of the afro.

1980s:  Hair was BIG. Big bangs and Aqua Net hairspray were a must. We basically looked like founding members of Motley Crue. The mullet was another equally-unflattering 80s look. Tails were a happening look for guys (and by happening, we mean we should have never let that happen!)

1990s:  The 90s were less hideous than the 80s, which isn’t saying much. Apparently, we took some cues from George Clooney and Jennifer Anniston. ‘The Rachel’ was popularized, thanks to a character on the hit-show, Friends. And, guys started to emulate George Clooney’s Caesar-esque ‘do. Sideburns got long and grunge looks gained some popularity. There was generally more variety and fewer big-haired fools polluting the environment with aerosol cans.

2000 and beyond: The modern mane pretty much comes in all sizes, colors and styles. Straightening irons are hot (literally and figuratively), but waves and curls, both loose and tight, are also in. Bangs are big and messy; un-styled ‘do’s are nice for summer. MTV tends to influence the younger folks to add streaks of color or height on top. Red carpet up-do’s remain popular for fancy affairs. Color, highlights and lowlights have been a mainstay in the millennium so far.

Recently, there also has been a Davison-designed product that has been “making waves” in the hair industry!  Stylists Emilio and Gino brought their over 40 years of hair-styling expertise to Davison, along with an awesome idea for trimming your own bangs at home.  Beautiful Bangs, a sleek, easy-to-use tool for maintaining style at home, emerged!

What will the next “mane” attraction be?  Time will tell!  Happy Hair Day!

(The Beautiful Bangs client has not realized a net profit)

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

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Watch TEDTalks:  Smart people will distill their life’s work down to 20 minutes for you.

This is advice from David Eagleman, neuroscientist, New York Times bestselling author and, himself, a TED Fellow.  TEDTalks actually started back in 1984, just two years before George Davison started work on his toothbrush sanitizer that, ultimately, led him to found Davison Design.  [TEDTalks] brought together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment and Design. They were started by Richard Saul Wurman, who, at the time, saw a convergence between the three fields.  Originally, the talks were heavy on technology and design, evidence of its Silicon Valley roots.  Today, the talks span the worlds of science, medicine, art, design, invention, transportation, music… the list goes on and on.

Recently, Adam Savage, of Mythbusters fame, gave a talk entitled, How Simple Ideas Lead to Scientific Discoveries, in which he discusses some of the most important scientific discoveries of all time and how they were arrived at through simple, creative methods that anyone could have followed.  Let’s start at the beginning or at least the beginning of simple solutions being posited as the most effective ones.  In [a] 14th century England town called Occam, lived a logician Franciscan friar named William, who has most commonly become associated with the law of parsimony.  He wrote the following:

     – Numquam ponenda est pluralitas sine necessitate [Plurality must never be posited without necessity]
     – Frustra fit per plura quod potest fieri per pauciora [It is futile to do with more things that which can be done with fewer]

What it boils down to is: other things being equal, a simpler explanation is better than a more complex one.  And, sometimes, that’s just what the problem calls for.  In Arvind Gupta’s TEDTalk, Turning Trash into Toys for Learning, which I recommend watching, he demonstrates how the problem of providing educational experiments for children in developing countries [could] be solved with trash and things found around the house:  rubber tubing, matchsticks, drinking straws, stick pins, bicycle tubes, even a pencil.  Simple items can be used to teach scientific principals, physics or mechanics.

TEDTalks continue to be a driving force for creative thinking in innumerable fields. Their over 1,000 videos have been translated to 86 languages, with another seven in [progress].  They can be viewed for free at any time throughout the world, on any number of mediums:  the TED website, YouTube, iPhone or iPad, or any Android/Google device.

Maybe you’ll find inspiration for a simple idea that can change the world.

- Lucky
[Sources: BoingBoing, Wikipedia, Stanford, University of California.]

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The most widespread story is that the first pretzels were invented by a monk in 610 A.D. During the season of Lent in northern Italy, the monk is said to have been baking unleavened bread, when he thought of a way to reward children for memorizing prayers. He twisted the dough, so it resembled arms crossed in prayer and named his creation “pretiola,” which means “little reward” in Latin.  Other sources say that something similar occurred, but in a monastery in southern France. 

There are also theories that the pretzel originated in Germany by a desperate baker, who would only be acquitted from a jail sentence if he could make a small cake, through which the sun could shine three times. It is said that he created the “bretzel,” which was adapted in English as the “pretzel.” Despite dissent about the pretzel’s conception, we do know more about the first hard pretzels.

In the 17th century, a Pennsylvania baker accidentally overbaked his batch of pretzels. He tasted the hard pretzel and discovered that he had made a rather delicious mistake. Nearly 200 years later, the first pretzel bakery, the Sturgis Pretzel House, opened in Lititz, Pennsylvania, in 1861.

It wasn’t until 1935, however, that the Reading Pretzel Machinery Company introduced the automated pretzel machine. This machine automatically twisted pretzels, so bakers no longer had to make them by hand. Once factories were able to mass produce pretzels, they became a popular twisted treat worldwide. 

Southeastern Pennsylvania is still the heart of pretzel production in America today and the state of Pennsylvania produces 80% of the country’s pretzels.  In 2003, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell instituted April 26th as National Pretzel Day to recognize the importance of the pretzel to the state’s history and industry, as it is the birthplace of the world’s first hard pretzel.

So, whether you prefer your pretzel soft or crunchy, with cream cheese, mustard or another dipping sauce, today, enjoy it with little extra thanks to all those inventors who helped to make it so twistedly delicious!  Happy National Pretzel Day!

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