This month, we celebrate an invention that, thanks to the many enhancements made to it, is nearly obsolete in today’s technologically-advanced world!  Yes, September 1873 marks the first time a practical typewriter was commercially sold.

The “Sholes & Glidden Type Writer” was not widely successful, but it did pave the way for a worldwide industry that continues to evolve and revolutionize what was very time-consuming and tedious office work.

The American-made invention originated in the multi-talented mind of Milwaukee, Wis. publisher, politician and philosopher Christopher Latham Sholes, during the Age of Invention.  At the time, Sholes was working in Kleinsteuber’s Machine Shop, trying to produce a machine that would automatically number book pages.

It is believed that one of Sholes’ colleagues suggested he further advance the idea by devising a way the equipment would print the entire alphabet.  With that prodding, the typewriter was just a few strokes away.  Not surprisingly, when it finally was released, the “Type Writer” was named in part for Carlos Glidden, a man who worked with Sholes at the machine shop!

Sholes created the simple device, which utilized a piece of printer’s type on a small rod that was mounted to strike upward onto a flat plate.  The plate held a piece of carbon paper, sandwiched together with a piece of stationery.  Using an old telegraph key mounted to the base of his device, Sholes tapped down on his new invention and watched as the little type jumped up and hit the carbon paper against the flat plate.

And that was pretty much it!  The space bar and enter keys came later, but Sholes did construct the machine to include the entire alphabet.  Sholes’ prototype was sent to Washington as the patent model and still exists – although it’s locked in a vault at the Smithsonian!

Along with investor James Densmore, Sholes brought his typing machine to gun maker E. Remington & Son; but, because he lacked patience when it came to marketing the invention, Sholes sold all his rights to Densmore, who kept the idea afloat.

Originally, the “Sholes & Glidden Type Writer” was brought to market with brightly decorated decals and gold paint.  It had a QWERTY keyboard, but could type only in capital letters.  Similar to an antique sewing machine, the “Type Writer” also included a foot treadle for carriage return, possibly because a Remington sewing machine engineer had recently been transferred to set up the “Type Writer” factory!  The company also offered a table model, which did not include the foot pedal.

Five years later, a second model was introduced and it included upper case, lower case and a shift key.  The colorful panels disappeared and a new black-framed look emerged.  This, the “Remington No. 2,” became a big seller and catapulted the typewriter industry… that is, at least until computers, cell phones and iPads were invented! 

Whatever it is that we’re typing on today, Mr. Sholes, we thank you for your innovation!

Information for the article provided by Earthlink.net and About.com.

As summer winds down and temperatures begin to cool, we’d like to take a minute to recognize one of America’s favorite summer pastimes, the game of golf.  After all, August is National Golf Month, so why not take a minute to “drive” home a few of the game’s firsts?

We begin with the origin of the game itself, which actually was about as hard to track down as playing 18 holes on a PGA championship course!  However, it seems the modern version of the game began in 15th-century Scotland.   In fact, history shows the first written record of the game was actually a document outlawing it!

So, what did 15th century golfers whack around?  Well, at first, pebbles (OUCH!).  Next up, were thin leather bags, stuffed with feathers – which made a hole in one impossible!  Finally, in 1858, Reverend Adam Paterson was credited with making a “gutta-percha” ball from tree sap that could fly about 225 yards.  Enhancing Paterson’s invention and the distance the ball would travel, Coburn Haskell introduced a rubber-cored ball in 1898 that soared to an impressive 430 yards.  The ball’s dimpled pattern was added in 1905 by William Taylor and well, that pretty much brings them up to modern speed!

The earliest golf clubs were wooden and are attributed to Scottish makers Tom Morris and Willie Park.  Just before the 20th century, Thomas Horsburgh, a blacksmith, began experimenting with steel-shafted clubs.  After that, club-makers used graphite and titanium to craft clubs.

While we’re not too sure how golfers originally toted their clubs around, golf bags came into use in the 1880s and Merlin Halvorson is credited with inventing the first cart in 1962.

Last, but not least, as we certainly wouldn’t want to “tee” anyone off, in 1889, Scottish golfers William Bloxsom and Arthur Douglas patented the first portable golf tee.  Percy Ellis was granted a Brittish patent just three years later for his “Perfectum” tee, made of rubber and metal.  The cup-shape was added to the top of the tee and patented by PM Matthews in 1897.  Americans Prosper Senat and George Grant also received patents for various tee improvements.

If your weekend round is rained out, learn more about the history of golf and other inventors who helped improve the tools of the trade at http://www.golf-club-revue.com/golf-club-history.html and http://inventors.about.com/od/gstartinventions/a/golf.htm.

A spaceship to the moon, a secret hideout to stash treasure or even a castle surrounded by a shark-filled moat… to a child, a tree house can be all of these things and more – sometimes all in one day! A great imagination can transform a backyard tree house into just about anything, but don’t think that just because you’ve outgrown your swing set, your fun has to be over. We’ve listed a few tree houses that are grown-up versions of old favorites and are sure to appeal to the inner-child in all of us.

The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland, England, is home to one of the most impressive tree houses in the world, around 6,000 square feet to be exact! Built in 2004, this amazing structure stands about 56 feet above the ground and is comprised of a main house with two towers and a sprawling deck area connected to two smaller tree houses. The main attraction of this wooden wonderland is a gourmet restaurant called, what else, The Tree House, which is a famous destination for travelers from all over the world!

Many kids have “run away” to their tree houses, but in several exotic locations, such as Costa Rica and Africa, tree house hotels are becoming real life getaways for tourists. Usually found perched in massive Baobab or Mahogany trees, the unique accommodations come complete with en-suite bathrooms, king size beds and private decks. But, none of those amenities compare to the real allure of these treetop hotels, which is the chance to feel completely immersed in the breathtaking landscape and wildlife that make these locations truly magical.

If the restaurant and hotels seem nice, but size is what you’re really looking for, this is the tree house for you! Soon to make its debut in the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest tree house in the world is located in Crossville, Tennessee and stands over 97-feet-tall! It is built around an 80-foot, white oak tree that measures 12 feet in diameter, and has six other trees supporting it. This tree-mansion has 11 floors, is around 9,000 square feet and even boasts a miniature basketball court and bell tower!

Last, but CERTAINLY not least, we couldn’t imagine discussing tree houses without mentioning our very own Davy’s Treehouse. Evoking all of the imagination and creativity of childhood, this tree house is in a category all its own. With each tour of Inventionland, Davy’s Treehouse inspires young minds to think outside the box and know that when it comes to inventing, the sky is the limit!

When we think of the 1950s, we may think of donning poodle skirts and saddle shoes and heading to the sock hop to dance to some Elvis.  But, it’s what we may NOT think of that we want to examine today…those ’50s fads and inventions that just didn’t quite catch on.

Here’s a list of our five favorite funky ’50s inventions:

1. Curved Barrel Machine Gun: The sleek, curved design of this fierce 1953 weapon allowed for shooting around corners!  It was perfect for taking the “fire first, look later” approach!  While it sounds pretty cool, we all may be a littler safer without this one!

2. Handwriting Game: As if repeatedly writing “I will not…” statements on the chalkboard wasn’t punishment enough, this engaging 1955 game challenged players to analyze each other’s handwriting!  I suppose practice makes perfect?

3. Venetian Blind Sunglasses: Kanye West may be trying to revive this trendy fad, but it certainly didn’t catch on when it was first introduced in 1950!  Though they seem to have no real practical purpose, I suppose they may good for only letting “some” UV rays in!

4.Honegar: All you “Man Vs. Food” fans actually may love this crazy concoction.  In 1959, Dr. DeForest C. Jarvis mixed together honey and vinegar in an effort to remedy minor aches and pains.  Hmmm… tempting, but I’ll stick with ibuprofen!

5. Vest Pocket Ash Tray, Rainy Day Cigarette Holder, Cigarette Holder Built for Two: We just couldn’t resist lumping these three ’50s inventions together.  They were perfect for “lighting up” with your lover on a rainy day and dropping the ashes in your vest!

For a look at these funky inventions, click here!

Now, we know we said our favorite five inventions, but hope this honorable mention doesn’t ruffle your feathers – pun intended!

The Sanitary Appliance for Birds, an undergarment designed to catch bird…. ummm, well you know…. received patent number 2,882,858 in 1959!  While it never really caught on, it is too bad all the birds of the world aren’t required to wear undergarments as they soar high above our heads!

Practical or not, these inventions bring a whole new meaning to the “Nifty Fifties!”

Ok, so, it might be a stretch to believe a tree branch could help fight cavities, but history shows ancient civilizations (we’re talking 3,000 BC!) may have used a “chew stick,” or thin twig with a frayed end, to clean their teeth. 

And, chew sticks must have worked fairly well, as the bristle toothbrush, similar to what we use today, did not come along until June 26, 1498, when a Chinese inventor attached coarse hog hair to bone and bamboo handles.  An Englishman, William Addis, is credited with first mass-producing the toothbrush around 1780. 

Although, we think we’d prefer the “twig” model, boar bristles were actually used until 1938.  At that time, a French company, Dupont de Nemours, introduced “Doctor West’s Miracle Toothbrush,” which utilized nylon bristles. 

What may be even harder to believe than using tree branches and hogs hair to promote dental hygiene, is that although American, H. N. Wadsworth, patented a toothbrush in 1857 and American companies began mass-producing toothbrushes around 1885, many Americans didn’t use them until influenced by the increased hygiene habits World War II soldiers brought back from the battlefield!

Swiss inventors introduced the first electric toothbrush in 1939; an American company, Squibb, marketed their electric Broxodent in 1960; quickly following, General Electric introduced a rechargeable cordless toothbrush in 1961.  Finally, in 1987, Interplak, an electric rotary-action toothbrush, was marketed for home use. 

Although it may have taken a while to catch on, most Americans agree, the toothbrush is one invention they cannot live without!  To find out why many Americans said they would rather part with their cars, computers and cell phones than with their trusty toothbrush, click here!

Like many family members of inventors, Deb’s husband, Maynard, was skeptical. When she submitted her idea to Davison, he did not have very high hopes for its success and did not expect to see a return on their investment, although he supported his wife’s efforts. So, he was quite surprised, and very pleased, that the Cool Cot was licensed and made it to the market.

“I’m a cautious person,” Maynard explained. “But it turned out great.” In fact, the semi-retiree has a few invention ideas of his own. When asked if he might pursue them, he replied: “With her success, why not?”

Since it hit the market, the number of retailers selling the Cool Cot has been increasing steadily — it is currently in at least 16 stores! Deb and Maynard visited Inventionland a few weeks ago to celebrate her success and meet with Mr. Davison, who presented her with her biggest royalty check to date.

“I was thrilled; it was very nice,” said Deb, who works hard each day running a home day care. “I’m holding that check and I’m just thinking, how do I get to spend this money? I’ll probably put it in the bank and sit on it.”

As we stated in Part 1, Deb wanted to help her dog, Sadie, who was suffering from arthritis, when she came up with her idea. During her visit, Deb also got to see her physical product for the first time, which “was pretty neat.” Unfortunately, Sadie has passed, but “Duke will get to enjoy it,” she said. She thought it might even be put to good use as a place for the preschoolers in her home to sit and take a break from their activities.

During their visit, the couple was given a tour of Inventionland, which was “fascinating.” They were also quite impressed with its inspiring founder.

“Inventionland was a blast; I want to take it home with me,” joked Deb. “Mr. Davison is pretty cool. We had a blast with him today.”

Although it took some time to get it to market, Deb said her experience with Davison, from Sales to Design to Licensing, has been good.

“The Davison staff is great; they’re just awesome,” she said. “Everything that has happened to date has been a very positive experience.”

Before leaving, she offered a bit of advice to other people like herself who have an idea for a new product.

“Get it down on paper, and give Davison a call … I know I made the right decision,” she said. “Those who have an idea and someone is trying to talk them out of it, ignore them and go with your gut.”

Congratulations to our client, to Hugs Pet Products, and to the entire team on the success of the Cool Cot!

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



Now that the summer season is underway and we’ve all enjoyed some delicious grilled burgers, dogs, chicken, veggies and more, we pay tribute to the many inventors who’ve worked so hard to allow us to enjoy these savory treats – and with such ease!

Technically, one could say that grilling dates back to the domestication of fire, hundreds of thousands of years ago.  And, possibly campfire grilling is a bit reminiscent of those early grilled feasts.  So, how has grilling gone from the campfire to the backyard, poolside, deck-side and, even inside?

Perhaps an invention before it’s time, a Pennsylvania man, Ellsworth Zwoyer, patented the design for the first charcoal briquette in 1897.  Not very practical to produce, it was Model-T inventor (and Mr. D’s hero), Henry Ford, and a relative, E.G. Kingsford, who brought the briquette into commercial production and made it profitable.  As we all know, Kingsford charcoal remains popular today.

Putting those briquettes to good use, military men, returning from World War II, began moving their families to U.S. suburbs with more outdoor space and experimenting with outdoor activities… like outdoor cooking!

Up first was Swedish inventor, Hikmet Kuran’s brazier grill, an open-air, charcoal grill that actually made outdoor cooking quite dangerous and often left foods burnt on the outside and raw on the inside – just the way some of us lovingly refer to as “Pittsburgh-style!”

Next, a Chicago metalworker at Weber Brothers Metal Spinning Company, George Stephen, designed a more modernized grill by adding a grate and vents to a harbor buoy he cut in half.  With that, the Weber grill was born!

Gas grills followed, when William Wepfer and Melton Lancaster, who worked for an Arkansas power company, were charged with finding a way to raise natural gas sales.  The pair redesigned a charcoal grill to work with gas instead.  Today, gas grills run on propane as well.

For those rainy, or snowy, days, George Foreman introduced his electric grilling station in 1994 and brought grilled goodness from the poolside to inside!

Finally, let’s not forget those Davison-designed products that contribute to a great cook-out, like the Fill ‘N Grill, Burger Maker and Slider Maker – just to name a few! This was a corporate project that Davison developed and licensed for its own benefit.

No matter which way you slice it (the brisket or pork BBQ that is), we owe a big burger-sized thank you to all the inventors who’ve helped bring grilling to where it is today!  Now, who’s hungry?!

While most of us are familiar with recent developments in the telephone industry, and may even carry the latest iPhone, Droid or Blackberry models, it is likely that few may know where these gadgets got their roots and just how far they’ve come through the years.

Over a century ago, in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell uttered the first words over what he called his “electrical speech machine.” Those words, “Mr. Watson, come here, I want you,” traveled only to his assistant who was working in the next room, but now resonate world-wide. Today, deemed National Telephone Day, we pause, if only momentarily, from sending those texts, updating our social media statuses or just checking news headlines, to recognize Bell’s legendary invention and how, with the help of many other inventors along the way, it has become so “smart!”

As the world reveled at the telephone’s initial capabilities, Bell went to work on several other inventions, including a flying machine and metal detector, to name just a couple. However, it didn’t take long for his electrical speech machine to evolve. Ten years after Bell patented his telephone, the first long-distance line was installed – it ran from New York to Philadelphia! Quickly following, William Gray invented the first pay phone, which was also installed in the U.S. Northeast.

While it may not be considered the first “picture message,” the first photograph was electronically transmitted in 1921. Bell’s invention went world-wide in 1935 when the first international call was placed. Mobile telephone service can be traced back to 1946, and originally linked vehicles to telephone networks through their radios; however, Martin Cooper, a British inventor, is credited with designing the first mobile phone in the 1970s. Caller ID originated in the 1980s, when faxing also gained popularity.

Advancing and evolving the mobile phone industry, 2G, or “second generation” service was introduced in the 1990s and allowed users to send SMS communications or text messages. The 2000s ushered in 3G service and, with that, the mobile internet craze. Today, 4G networks allow users to enjoy their fastest service yet.

So, over a century later and with the help of many talented inventors along the way, what’s next for Bell’s electrical speech machine? To 5G and beyond!

Our client, Joseph, was surprised and excited to hear that his bakeware invention is for sale in a popular home solutions catalog, as well as in two large housewares store chains. He was even more excited to learn that it will air on QVC this fall and is also under review by a major upscale domestics retailer – And it’s all because he likes chewy brownies.

Joseph has always loved brownies with a chewy edge, so much so that he used to slice a pan of brownies before it was finished baking so all the squares would have edges. His wife did not appreciate that and told him so. “She yelled at me,” he recalls, laughing.

The pilot wondered if he could invent an “all edge” brownie pan to keep peace in the family and give him a whole pan full of chewy brownies. He first came up with the idea about 20 years ago when he was a helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps. A fellow Marine and friend had spent a “huge amount of money” patenting a new product idea, however, so he didn’t think developing his was an option; he thought that was the way it was done.

“I really didn’t have any desire (to pursue it) because of what I perceived about the cost.”
About three years ago, however, he received an email from Davison, inviting him to submit an idea. He thought, “Hey, I have a crazy idea,” so he submitted it, and the work began.

His finished product, the Silicone Dessert Bar Pan is for sale in the Get Organized catalog, and this month it will hit about 700 Hobby Lobby and Kitchen Collections stores. The product is also under review by a major domestics retailer, and in October it will air on QVC, the most popular home shopping network. In addition, the manufacturer is expanding the product to an entire line of silicone bakeware for holiday-themed treats, including pans for Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas!

During the design process, the product evolved from a metal pan to silicone bakeware that remains cool to the touch and bends for easy removal of items after baking; a rigid frame molded into the perimeter makes the pan safe to carry. The 12 candy-bar shaped molds can be filled with brownie batter, Rice Krispie treats, cookie dough – and all the treats come out perfectly, each one with four chewy edges.

“It feels pretty good,” Joseph said of his product’s apparent early success. But it didn’t happen overnight. Prior to being licensed, the bakeware was presented to three other companies, all of which turned it down. He decided to keep going, despite the setbacks.

“It is an emotional roller coaster; up and down,” said Joseph, who flies EMS helicopters. But he’s still very glad he took the chance on his idea. In fact, Joseph and a partner have submitted a second idea to Davison, which he feels is another much-needed invention.

“He had his share of struggles along the way, but he never gave up. He was so passionate about the product he found a way to make it happen,” said Founder and CEO George Davison. “We couldn’t be happier for him and his family.”

The client has not realized a net profit on his product.

The Better Bobbin that we created for the Dritz brand is featured as a “versatile bobbin winder” in a new slideshow of ”must-have quilting and sewing notions” on AllPeopleQuilt.com, the website of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine. The Better Homes and Gardens publication is read by more than 300,000 quilting and sewing enthusiasts, and many are likely to be interested in this “must have” bobbin winder, which is for sale in Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores, A.C. Moore, Ultimate Craft Shop and many other retailers. Congratulations to our client, Thomas, and all who worked on this fantastic new product!