“Should old acquaintance be forgot and… ”  Ok, so, we may not know all the words to Auld Lang Syne, but we are more than ready to ring in the new year with some great memories from 2012.  And, when it comes down to it, we are pretty sure that’s what the song means!

Although there were many, many great things that happened this year, our post simply would be WAY too long if we included them all, so here are just a few highlights from each month.

January: The late celebrity icon known for hosting a “rockin” New Year’s Eve reviews the History Channel’s “Inventionland” reality TV special. “I found it fun to watch and most interesting and, undoubtedly, will be a successful History Channel venture,” says Dick Clark.

Also after the History Channel’s “Inventionland” reality TV show special, which was promoted high above the strip in Las Vegas and in NYC’s Times Square, our creative workspace also appears in the Wall Street Journal!

February: We launch our innovative “Dare to Invent” webisode series! The 13-episode series showcases our clients and their inventions, from product inception to licensing… and beyond!  The series begins with Joy, inventor of the Party on the Go, and Kay, inventor of Pugz Shoes.  The webisodes can be found at Davison.com and on YouTube.

We go international twice! Inventionland is featured on the the German TV show “Galileo” and the Davison-designed Hydro Family (which was licensed by Hugs Pet Products) is set to sell in the United Kingdom and Canada.

March: Walmart runs an “Idol-style” competition online called “Get on the Shelf” and Hugs Pet Products, a company that has licensed many of our designs, enters several of Davison-designed pet products in the contest!

The TheraPED, a spa-therapy product that we designed for our client, Lennell, continues to receive rave reviews from Zumba and yoga instructors across the nation.

April: We present our TheraPED inventor, Lennell, with her very first royalty check at a surprise party for her family and friends in her hometown, St. Louis! Mr. Davison and our production crew get some great photos and video footage under the city’s famous Arch for an upcoming “Dare to Invent” episode!

Speaking of “Dare to Invent,” the webisodes continue!  This month, we feature John, inventor of the BikeBoard, and Jean, inventor of the Meatball Baker!

May: Davison is nominated for a Small Business Community Association (SBCA) 2012 Best of Business Award for Pittsburgh! According to the SBCA, the Best of Business Awards are designed to empower and recognize businesses that make a difference in their communities.

Continuing a school tradition, George Davison speaks to students at his high school alma mater, The Kiski School, in Saltsburg, Pa.  The day-long event includes three sessions, where Mr. Davison enlightens young minds on what it is like to be an entrepreneur.

June: In what becomes the first of many appearances in 2012, George Davison is featured on Lifetime’s “The Balancing Act,” America’s premier one-hour women’s morning show dedicated to creating trusted solutions for today’s woman. Mr. Davison joins host Danielle Knox to field questions both before and after Lifetime airs Joy Clymer’s (Party on the Go) episode of “Dare to Invent.”

Fox Business Network cameras join George Davison at Inventionland, where we get a sneak peek inside Davy’s Treehouse. “Inventionland is like a big playground for creative people,” George tells Lauren Simonetti. “We try to keep everybody in a state of mind that is real creative and real positive, because the world of inventing can be a crazy up-and-down world. It’s a state of mind.”

July: “Dare to Invent” airs the final episodes of the webisode series. The first features Christine Walker, inventor of the Brownie Bowl and our 1st season final episode treats viewers to Gary and Ruth Frazer, inventors of the Twister Bolts and Twister Caps.

We proudly announce that the TheraPED will be included in 200 VIP gift bags given out during the 13th Annual BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis (Aug. 23, 2012). As part of the 2012 U.S. Open festivities held in New York City, The Taste of Tennis combines NYC’s top chefs and the world’s greatest tennis players to showcase their culinary skills for the benefit of New York Junior Tennis League.

August: Davison products burn up the blogosphere. TheraPED once again earns rave reviews from the One Bored Mommy blog; 6-in-1 Manicure Multitool has “got everything you want,” according to a Hello Dollface blogger; The Clip & Drain replaces colanders for the writer of Sugar Pop Ribbons; The Neat Things in Life blog gets cooking with the Silicone Dog Treat Pan; and AWAY is celebrated by holistic health guru The Savvy Sister.

Davison is featured in an article in the summer edition of Soul Pitt Quarterly, Pittsburgh’s Premier Minority A&E Magazine.  In the piece, Soul Pitt’s writer (Mimi Gray) speaks with CEO and Founder George Davison, President Frank Vescio, Senior Director of New Products Steve Smith and Director of New Products Hassan Walker and picks their brains about what it takes to be an inventor and to work at Davison.

September: A defining moment in company history, the entire fall 2012 Hugs Pet Products Pugz line arrives at Petco!  The line, which we helped design, includes leashes, beds, coats, leg warmers, harnesses and boots; and it’s prominently displayed on Petco’s end caps.

We expand our social media presence, launching Pinterest and Google+ pages.  Pinterest allows us to share all things inventing on our pinboard and Google+ allows us to chat with our followers in circles or groups, so we can better meet their inventing needs.

October: Mr. Davison’s Lifetime TV appearances continue as he and Jean Rindfuss (as part of her Dare to Invent episode) appear on “The Balancing Act.” Before showing the appetizing webisode, Mr. Davison discusses Davison’s Better Way to Invent and how it worked for Jean Rindfuss and her Meatball Baker.

Davison’s Hydro Bone is featured in Real Simple Magazine as part of their “40 Most-Pinned Problem Solving Products” list. Of the hydrating chew toy, the Hydro Bone, the magazine said, “If you’re hitting the park with Fido, be sure to pack the proper warm-weather essentials. Simply soak this rubber bone in water and toss it to your four-legged friend, so he’ll stay well “hydrated all day long.”

November: In time for the holiday season, Mr. Davison illustrates how Davison’s Better Way to Invent works for everyday people with ideas.  He signs, seals and delivers big news and royalty checks to Davison inventors from all over the country and even England.

Our Licensing Team attends Atlantic City’s Non-Foods Marketing Expo, a trade show that caters to retailers interested in general merchandise and seasonal items that one may find at a grocery or drug store. Among over 150 vendors, past licensees of Davison products, Hugs Pet Products and AWAY Bug Repellent, showcase several Davison designs. Quickly heading to the west coast, the Licensing Team also makes a stop at the SEMA and AAPEX shows, where Davison car-cleaning products shine!

December: Ending 2012 with a bang, Mr. Davison makes a few more appearances on Lifetime TV’s “The Balancing Act.”  This time, he brings along our clients, Christine – Brownie Bowl Inventor and Gary and Ruth – Twister Caps and Twister Bolts inventors, as part of their “Dare to Invent” webisodes.

The Keystone Edge, an online publication that covers the entrepreneurial ecosystem that drives Pennsylvania forward, features Mr. Davison in their “Founders” section.  Comparing him to Henry Ford, deeming the title “a praise that should not be viewed lightly,” Keystone Edge also calls Mr. Davison “one heckuva entrepreneur.”

Thank you for everything, 2012!  We can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store!!

Happy New Year! 

 

After running to the polls yesterday, we are sure that your feet are aching and could use the soothing relief that can only be provided by the TheraPED, which will be featured tomorrow (11/8/12) on “America’s premier one-hour women’s morning show.”

Davison founder and CEO George Davison and our client, Lennell Parks, along with her TheraPED (as part of her “Dare to Invent” webisode) will be the featured guests on Lifetime TV’s “The Balancing Act” tomorrow, November 8th at 7:00am.

The story behind the TheraPED not only is a triumphant solution for Lennell’s discomfort, but also a celebration of an inventor’s ingenuity that now helps countless consumers who suffer from foot pain.

Initially, the innovative spa-therapy product was created to provide comfort from the “hot feet” she experienced as a result from multiple sclerosis. The TheraPED offers cooling therapy and is designed with multi-functional gel pads that also provide moist heat for the top, sides and bottom of feet.

Licensed by Health Enterprises, the TheraPED has been a big hit among yoga and Zumba bloggers and was included in gift bags at the 45th Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards!

In a separate interview, Mr. Davison summed up the amazing collaborative effort for the TheraPED.

“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… people helping people to make the world a little better for our friends and neighbors.”

If you know us very well, you know we’re all about finding innovative solutions to everyday problems. Now, a Davison-designed product is receiving recognition for doing just that.

Real Simple Magazine, whose motto is “life made easier, every day,” recently included the Davison-designed Hydro Bone on their “40 Most-Pinned Problem Solving Products” list.

Of the hydrating chew toy, the magazine said, “If you’re hitting the park with Fido, be sure to pack the proper warm-weather essentials. Simply soak this rubber bone in water and toss it to your four-legged friend, so he’ll stay well–hydrated all day long.”

Licensed and sold by Hugs Pet Products, the Hydro Bone was born in the mind of our client, Diane, who first got the idea for the refreshing toy when she was looking for a way to keep her Japanese Chin puppy hydrated on long car trips.

Diane’s Hydro Bone certainly solved that problem and more! On Real Simple’s list, the Hydro Bone is among other problem-solving products like a corn de-silker, dissolvable jar labels and a machine that chops up candy or cookie ice cream toppings. View Real Simple’s entire list here.

Congrats to Diane, our Creationeers, Hugs Pet Products and everyone else who had a hand in bringing this innovative bone to market!

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

While you may not have considered eating meatballs for breakfast, you just may after you tune in to the next episode of Lifetime TV’s “The Balancing Act.”  On the show, featured guest and Davison CEO and Founder George Davison will be showcasing the Meatball Baker and its inventor, Jean Rindfuss, as part of their “Dare to Invent” webisode.

The tasty segment airs tomorrow, October 12th at 7 a.m. and again on October 25th at the same time.  Before showing the appetizing webisode, Mr. Davison will discuss the Davison Way to Invent and how it worked for Jean’s Meatball Baker.

An avid cook, loving mother and adoring grandmother, Jean had always tried to make perfect meatballs for her family. Although they were delicious, her meatballs always end up covered in grease.

After she received some disappointing news from her family’s doctor, Jean decided to find a way to remove the grease and she brought her idea for a healthier meatball to Davison.

Davison’s creative team headed straight to the kitchen to find the perfect recipe for a health-friendly pan to bake meatballs.  A heaping spoonful of research, a dash of redesign and a sprinkle of some unconventional product testing combined to cook up Jean’s Meatball Baker – which rolled its way onto QVC and the shelves of several major national retailers!

To coincide with the Meatball Baker’s debut on “The Balancing Act,” we’re giving our Pinterest followers the chance to win  their very own Meatball Baker in our “Re-pin to Win” giveaway!  Check out the giveaway details and rules below, tune into “The Balancing Act,” then head to Pinterest for a chance to win!

Visit Here

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

Breakfast with Davison CEO and Founder George Davison?  Yes, please!

Mr. Davison will be a featured guest on the next episode of Lifetime TV’s “The Balancing Act,” which airs September 28th and October 5th at 7:00 a.m.

Giving viewers a look inside the Davison Way to Invent, which allows the everyday people who work with Davison to turn their invention ideas into reality, Mr. Davison will share an innovative “Dare to Invent” webisode, featuring Julian, inventor of The Best Stink Bug Trap Ever.

Before showing the highly entertaining webisode, Mr. Davison will explain just how his better way to invent worked for Julian.

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

He tried every bug repellent and trap on the market, but his stinky visitors continued to claim his home. That’s when Julian took matters into his own hands and even created a model stink bug trap out of a used soda bottle. Armed with his idea and his working trap, Julian came to Davison.

The Davison Creationeers quickly got to work, taking Julian’s working trap and making it more appealing to bug victims, while ensuring it was a friendly fit for company product lines.  After some intense testing, the Best Stink Bug Trap Ever was ready for production!

Congratulations to Mr. Davison, Julian and the entire Davison team for getting our minds crawling with a way to keep uninvited house guests out of our hair!

George Davison (Founder & CEO of Davison) and Sharon, inventor of the Cool Cot House (as part of her “Dare to Invent” episode), will be featured on an all-new episode of Lifetime’s “The Balancing Act.”

Mr. Davison (September 14th at 7:00 a.m.) will talk about the Davison Way to Invent and the Cool Cot House before and after the airing of Sharon’s episode of “Dare to Invent” – the webisode series that explores what can happen when everyday people work with Davison to make their invention ideas a reality.

Sharon, a small-town homemaker and self-published poet, got tired of seeing pets in stuffy, dirty doghouses or (worse yet) out in the rain, snow or sweltering sun, where there was no comfortable spot to stretch out on.

The animal lover, who often took her pet cats on walks and even camping trips, devised her own way to protect Fido, Lassie and Fluffy Kitty from bad weather and stinky shelters.

She brought her innovative idea for a comfortable, portable “tent” to Davison, where our team began working on an extreme pet home makeover that resulted in Sharon’s Cool Cot House!

Equipped with a comfortable raised pet bed that can be used indoors and out, the Cool Cot House is lightweight, portable and features a heavy-duty, water-resistant canvas cover with mesh vents to protect pets from the rain, while increasing air flow.

Congratulations to Mr. Davison, Sharon and the Davison team for blowing a cool breeze across national audiences!

Mr. Davison, along with more Dare to Invent episodes, will be featured on “The Balancing Act” in the next several months.  We will keep you updated on dates and times.

Lifetime Network’s “The Balancing Act” is America’s premier one-hour women’s morning show dedicated to creating trusted solutions for today’s woman and treats viewers to the most current and hot topics, while featuring some of the hottest celebs from the sports and entertainment industries.

The Lifetime Network can be found on the following channels:

• DirecTV Channel 252 (SD/HD)
• Dish Network Channel 108 (SD/HD)
• Available on most cable systems: Check local listings
• Verizon FiOS Channel 140 (SD); Channel 640 (HD)
• AT&T U-verse Channel 360 (SD); Channel 1360 (HD)

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

George Davison (Founder & CEO of Davison) and the inventor of the Better Tether Ed Yoder (as part of his Dare to Invent episode) will be featured on the next episode of Lifetime’s “The Balancing Act,” America’s premier one-hour women’s morning show dedicated to creating trusted solutions for today’s woman.

Mr. D and host Kristy Villa (Friday, August 17, 2012 at 7:00 a.m.) will talk about the Davison Inventing method and the Better Tether before and after the airing of Ed’s episode of “Dare to Invent” – the webisode series that explores what can happen when everyday people work with Davison to make their invention ideas a reality.

Ed desired a more convenient and humane way to tether his dog outdoors! He 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! Ed brought his idea for a “better” tethering device to Davison.

Unlike traditional tethers that wrap around trees or unwieldy stakes, Ed’s tether is secured to the ground, eliminating an obstacle to pets, humans and machines. The divided food and water bowl can never be tipped over and the entire unit sits lower than the blades of a lawnmower and never has to be moved. A leash can be attached directly to the strong steel post, and the vivid orange color makes the bowl highly visible.

Congratulations to Mr. Davison, Ed and the Davison Creationeers for getting the chance to showcase the Dare to Invent – Better Tether episode to a national audience!

More Dare to Invent episodes and Mr. Davison will be featured on “The Balancing Act” throughout 2012. We will keep you updated on dates and times as they become available.

Lifetime Network’s “The Balancing Act” treats viewers to the most current and hot topics, while featuring some of the hottest celebs from the sports and entertainment industry.

___________

PLUS – You Could Win a Better Tether for your pooch on the Davison Facebook page!*

We will be giving away one Better Tether — a better and more humane method of tethering a dog outdoors — to celebrate the airing of the “Balancing Act” episode, featuring George Davison talking about the development of this versatile product.

The giveaway will be held from Friday, Aug. 17 to Friday, Aug. 24. Contestants will be entered to win a Better Tether when they “Like” the Davison Facebook page and complete the information on the entry form/giveaway page.

*This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Davison’s research, development and presentation services are provided for an upfront fee paid by the client and a contingent fee (which is a percentage of royalties obtained by the client, if any). New product development is an uncertain endeavor and the use of Davison’s services typically does not result in a license agreement, sales on any market or profit to the inventor. Davison does not perform analysis of the feasibility, marketability, patentability or profitability of ideas submitted to it.

Sponsor: Davison

Term: The Davison BETTER TETHER Giveaway begins on August 17, 2012 at 12:00 noon EST and ends on August  24, 2012 at 12:00 noon EST.

To Enter: No purchase necessary to enter or win the Sweepstakes. A purchase will not improve your chance of winning. Register to win by liking the Davison Facebook Page and completing the information on the giveaway page. The employees of Davison and members of their respective immediate families are not eligible to enter this giveaway. By entering this giveaway, you are also opting-in to receive informational and promotional emails from Davison.

Prizes: Sponsor will giveaway one(1) better tether, valued at $25. No more than one prize will be awarded.

Winner Selection: Potential winner will be selected in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received by August  24, 2012 noon EST. Odds of winning are dependent upon the number of eligible entries received.

Every now and again we receive correspondence from some of our clients, which is always a great thing.  They are usually checking in on their products, asking some questions or simply dropping a line to give us a nice pat on the back. And what a pat on the back this email from Diane DiRaimo, the inventor of the Hydro Bone, gave our Creationeers and our “Dare to Invent” series!

Diane writes:

Hope all is well with you!!! Every now and then, I visit Davison’s website to see all the new products. [I] just viewed many of the Dare to Invent videos of the many products and the individuals connected to them. They are fun to watch and quite amusing. It was even more fun when I stumbled across the Hydro Bone. Davison has a very impressive staff of creativity!!! To stop and think about all of the ingredients combined into that one bowl to become a mix of energies is so grand. Congrats to Mr. Davison, you and the team!!! Wow!!!

The Hydro Bone, which hydrates pooches in play, has been celebrated by Petside.com’s (an NBC company) Charlotte Reed, who praised the Hydro Bone for, “Combining fun and chewing-refreshment.” And called it “ …the ultimate hydrating chew toy for your pet.” The Hydro Bone also won A 2010 Dog Fancy Magazine Editors’ Choice Award.

Congratulations to the entire Davison team and Diane for forging a great relationship that helps create fantastic pet products that consumers and parched pooches all love!

George Davison (CEO & Founder of Davison) and the inventor of the Silicone Dessert Bar Pan Joseph Springer (as part of his Dare to Invent episode) will be featured on the next episode of Lifetime’s “The Balancing Act,” America’s premier one-hour women’s morning show dedicated to creating trusted solutions for today’s woman.

Mr. Davison and host Danielle Knox (Wednesday, August 1st at 7:00 a.m.) will discuss the ins and outs of the Davison Inventing method and the Silicone Dessert Bar Pan before and after the airing of Joe’s episode of “Dare to Invent” – the webisode series that explores what can happen when everyday people work with Davison to make their invention ideas a reality.

Marines are tough and their brownies should be as well, at least according to Silicone Dessert Bar Pan inventor Joe Springer. Joe preferred the crispy edges of his baked goods so much that he would pilfer the crusty corners of his family’s freshly baked brownies.

“I would cut around the edges and my wife and mother in-law would yell. Of course, it was me,” exclaims Springer. Joe created the Silicone Dessert Bar Pan to relieve himself of his brownie-bandit ways and to provide others with a neater and easier way to bake brownies and other desserts. Brownies often bake unevenly, then crumble and end up different sizes when cutting and lifting them out of a standard pan. A metal pan is also hot to the touch for a long time after removal from the oven.

Davison Creationeers created the Silicone Dessert Bar Pan to simplify and streamline the brownie-baking process. Unlike metal bakeware, the pan is flexible and remains cool to the touch. The 12 candy-bar shaped molds can be filled with brownie batter, Rice Krispie treats or cookie dough, and each piece comes out perfect! The pan bends for easy removal of items after baking, while the rigid frame molded into the perimeter makes the pan safe to carry. It is also dishwasher safe.

More Dare to Invent episodes and Mr. Davison will be featured on “The Balancing Act” in the next several months.  We will keep you updated on dates and times.

Lifetime Network’s “The Balancing Act” treats viewers to the most current and hot topics, while featuring some of the hottest celebs from the sports and entertainment industry.

It’s nearly time to say “so long” to season 1 of our innovative “Dare to Invent” webisode series; but, before we send it swirling into history, we’re capping it off with the twisted tale of toilet bolt success!