Are you ready for some… protection?  With football season underway, let’s examine that ever-so-important piece of equipment players wear to protect themselves on the field… their helmets!

Previously stuffing thick rags under their hats, football players began sporting leather helmets in the 1940s.  But, as competitors began to run faster, throw farther and hit harder… they needed some sturdier dome protection.

High school football coach John Riddell is credited with inventing the first plastic helmet in 1939, although it was not widely accepted until the early ’50s.  Riddell’s plastic protector was lined with a web and an air cushion for added hit-absorption.  His helmet was such a success, he left coaching to pursue the manufacturing business; today, you can find Riddell’s name on 90% of NFL players’ heads!

About a decade after Riddell’s hard-headed invention, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment deemed the “webbed” helmets unsafe and padding was incorporated into the design.  Further absorbing a lineman’s tough tackle, foam was added around the jaw and ears of helmet interiors.

In the 1970s, long before Reebok came out with their Pumps, the helmet was air-infused.  Because they had been “one size fits all,” some players’ heads were rattling around inside, while other players were cramped in their helmets.  With the added air-filled pads, players could pump or remove air from their helmets for a snug fit.

Further advancing the helmet’s protective capabilities, manufacturers have taken it to the next level.  The latest innovation to the protective headgear includes electronic devices with diagnostic capabilities.  These high-tech helmets can instantly read the length and severity of a hit… in some cases, before a player even notices an injury!

So, as you’re tuning in this weekend – look away from your fantasy football stats for a moment and take a look at the protective headgear your favorite players are sporting!

Information for this article, thanks to http://www.livestrong.com/article/341058-the-history-of-the-nfl-helmet/ and http://www.livestrong.com/article/351862-football-helmet-safety-improvements/.

(Please be advised – There is a brief commercial)

Davison’s Inventionland was viewed by millions of Americans in an outstanding piece today on the CBS Early Show!

In the segment, Founder and CEO George Davison takes wide-eyed CBS reporter Taryn Winter Brill through the secret entrance into the facility that, she says, “would make Willy Wonka jealous.” Brill tells the audience that the one-of-a-kind workspace is “an invention in its own right.”

As he takes her on a tour of “the world’s most creative workplace,” the reporter explains how Inventionland came to be and how products are invented using Davison’s nine-step method and assembly line approach, which has led to products in over 1,000 different stores!

Jean, inventor of the Meatball Baker, also is featured and shows how the company turned her dream into a reality. The interview with the Minnesota grandmother affirms Davison’s assertion that the best thing about Inventionland is the people.

“Inventionland brings in wonderful people,” says Davison. “When they come in, I get to feel the inspiration; I get to see them just light up, and that, to me, is everything because they’re in one of my ideas.”

We could go on and on, but the video speaks for itself. View the awesome segment on the CBS Early Show!

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

Sometimes, celebrity comes with a side of glitz, glamour and… innovation!  We’ve said it before, but ideas really do come from everywhere and from everyone!

From the King of Pop to Catwoman, here’s a host of celebrities who are bursting with talent and also with ideas:

1.  Michael Jackson 
If the Shoe Fits, Wear it! 
Slip these on your feet and you’ll be hooked… literally!  To accompany his sleek dance moves and assist “Smooth Criminal” video directors, MJ designed these gravity-defying kicks that hooked into stage floors, allowing him and his dancers to pull-off seemingly superhuman moves!

2. Prince 
The Artist Formerly Known as Inventor
Why should a member of music royalty that’s done it all have to choose between his guitar and piano?  Thanks to Prince’s keytar, he doesn’t!  Like leg warmers and acid-washed jeans, the keytar was a product of the 80s.  It was worn like a guitar, but played like a keyboard – and made a supposed 2007 European comeback!

3. Eddie Van Halen
Go Ahead, Jump…
With your guitar that is.  Do-it-yourselfer Eddie Van Halen created a guitar support device that allowed him to maneuver his guitar like a keyboard, so he could use both hands!  Leaving no stone unturned, Van Halen even included banjos and mandolins in his patent application!  Eddie, we can’t stop lovin YOUR creativity!

From the stage to the big screen, innovation doesn’t only lie within mega-hit music artists.  Here are a few on-screen heroes who had big-time ideas, too!

4.  Marlon Brando
The Man, the Myth, the Inventor!
A man of many faces on the big screen, it turns out Marlon Brando could have also drummed his way into our hearts.  The drummer in an Illinois band even had a little Henry Ford in him, patenting a way to make tuning drums more efficient and affordable!

5. Jamie Lee Curtis 
Bringing a New Meaning to Triple-Threat
Acclaimed actress and author Jamie Lee Curtis added inventor to her growing list of talents in 1988 when she patented an innovative infant diaper design.  Curtis’ diaper design included an outside pocket, perfect for stashing baby wipes.  Okay, Supermom!

6. Julie Newmar 
“Holy Innovator, Batman!”
This 1960’s Catwoman just said “no” to her skintight cat-suit!  Instead, she made an improvement to the newly invented pantyhose.  Newmar improved the design, creating a more sheer option that women wear to this day.

For a list of more celebs with patented success, inspire your inner-innovator and read about Harry Houdini’s swimsuit or turn a page in Mark Twain’s scrapbook by clicking here.

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

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

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

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

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

Recent studies indicate that educators are finding more and more ways to infuse innovation and creativity into the classroom.  Inspired by their example, today’s lesson is out with the NEW and in with the OLD!

That’s right, boys and girls, turn off your Smartphones, iPads and game consoles.  Today, we pay homage to some old-school childhood activities that have paved the way for many of the games kids enjoy today!

In fact, there are so many old favorites, we lumped them into five categories that are spilling over with fun!

Unless it’s raining, there really is no reason to stay inside, so get out from in front of the TV or computer and enjoy the great outdoors!  From old favorites like Run Down and Spud to Keep Away or Kickball, with some simple sports equipment, you’ve got an afternoon of fun!  Besides, the exercise can always do you some good!

Now, on those rainy days, why not take a walk on the creative side and try making some crafts?  You may surprise yourself with what you can make with just some paper, scissors and glue!  

Although you’ve probably played solitaire on your computer, here’s a novel idea – grab a deck of cards!  There are millions of games, like Go Fish, Crazy Eights and Golf, that could occupy your time for hours…literally!

You don’t need satellite or Internet radio, or even a camp-fire to sing a few old favorites like “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain” or “If You’re Happy…”  This past-time is also a perfect add-on to any of our other suggested activities!

Finally, give your imagination some exercise and read a book!  Unlike today’s digital enhancements, which leave nothing to the imagination (Don’t get us wrong, they ARE amazing!), flipping open a good book lets your mind escape reality and delve into a world that is anything you make of it!

And, what would today’s lesson be without a little homework?  Your assignment – try out some of these old-fashioned games this weekend!  You just may inspire your inner-inventor!

Your summer vacation may be approaching pretty fast, so what are you going to do for hours while you’re on the beach? Play with the sand, of course! You’re never too old to indulge in a little creative fun in the sand!

Below, we’ve featured five modern tools to get you started, along with five patents for beach toys from long ago. Apparently, idea people have long been at work finding ways to make playing in the sand even more fun!

1.  Shovel & Pail – They’re classic staples for any day at the beach! Plus, they come in so many different colors and styles, everyone is sure to find a favorite!

2.  Sand Water Park Set - It may not be a toy that is usually seen on the beach, but it quickly will become your favorite when you’re able to create your own personal water park out of any sand structure you build!

3.  Seashell Collecting Bags – While you’re digging around in the sand, you’re sure to find something you’ll want to keep – so, why not tote it home in a decorative bag? Plain plastic bags? No way!

4.  Sandcastle Building Kit – With these handy aids, you’re sure to build the perfect sandcastle! They’ve got tools and molds that will make your castle the envy of everyone on the beach!

5.  Sand Station – For an even more relaxing day at the beach, let the station’s gears move any unwanted sand out of your way!

So, we all know and love these modern toys, but where did they come from? All ideas have to start somewhere, and beach toys are no exception! Here are five original beach toy patents that may make you rethink what you would be playing with in the sand, if these toys had caught on!

Click on the photos for more information on each patent!

1.  In 1915, a woman named Grace Strong had the idea to make sand pails in animal shapes. This is one invention that very well could still catch on today!  We did go through a Silly Bandz craze didn’t we? Anything could happen!

2.  Similar to the modern Sand Station, this patent does almost the same thing, but manages to look about 100 times more complex! Albert Duffield invented this toy and it was patented in 1916. Could you imagine taking this in your beach bag?

3.  With this contraption, there would be no need to manually move sand ever again! This Sand Grabber would make your sandcastle building process go much faster, if only it was on the market today!

4.  This version of the Sand Station is much fancier, but still has the same concept. The sand goes in to the funnel, then filters out onto the paddle wheel, which makes it spin. It may not be practical, but it sure looks cool!

5.  Last but not least is this spin on the sand shovel. It’s meant to look like a regular soda bottle, but when you open it up, it becomes a very useful beach toy! It really could come in handy on a hot day at the beach – if you could fill it with cold soda!

These older patents might seem a little crazy now, but imagine where the beach toys we know today would be without them. So, next time you’re digging in the sand at the beach, keep in mind what tools you could be using!

Diane was very worried. Her beloved Japanese Chin puppy, Alexander James, was panting in the back of her car while she and her daughter, Kristen, were driving on a hot summer day in Rhode Island. She knew a bowl of water wouldn’t work in a moving vehicle, and trying to give him water out of a bottle also would result in a mess. She needed a better solution.

“Our puppy was warm in the car and I was concerned about him not being able to have water,” said Diane. “It was pretty hot; I had to think of something.”

And she did. Diane came up with an idea for a hydration device that would provide pets with cool water anytime, anywhere.

She went to the pet store to see if there were any such products on the market but “was not impressed” by what she saw. “I didn’t think they would fulfill the goal I was looking for; I thought there should be more innovation,” she recalled.

“My daughter thought it was a good idea; so, I said let’s go for it and see what happens,” said the HR and payroll administrator. Diane, who designs fashions as a hobby, considers herself to be a creative person. She realized it was “completely impossible,” however, to bring her idea to market on her own.

“I did recognize that I would need a lot of help with that …to make my idea a realty,” she said. “They are a full service company, and that is one of the reasons I went with Davison.”

Initially, she thought her idea would be made into a product and selling in no time. She quickly learned there is a process, which begins with research. Our team found something similar to her idea on the market, so Davison designers set to work on making her product a little different, and a lot better.

“I was so completely overwhelmed when I found out how much work goes into doing a product. At the time, I didn’t understand they were going to make my idea better,” said Diane.

Kristen, a college student at the time, supported her mother, but she was skeptical.

“I thought it was a great idea, but I’m a skeptic at heart,” said Kristen. When she later saw how the team had tweaked her mother’s design, however, she thought it “was cool.”

Other than her daughter, Diane didn’t tell anyone about her idea for a new product to keep pets hydrated because she was afraid they would try to talk her out of it. “It was our little secret.”

Well, the secret’s out — her idea was turned into not just one, but three new hydrating chew toys!

Click here to read Part 2 of the exciting story about our client and the invention of the Hydro Line. Here is a little preview from a thank you note Diane sent us following her recent visit to Inventionland:

“It was great to witness that the employees of Davison are a TEAM and know its true meaning.” wrote Diane. “All of you have changed my life in the most positive way imaginable.”

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

To be continued…

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!

The entire line of Swingers by Swing Away, the super innovative collapsing kitchen utensils that we created for Xtraordinary Home Products, is now on the market! The 18 utensils are selling online as well as in brick-and-mortar stores; all of them are available at American Hospitality Supply (a sampling is shown above) and many are also being tested in Bed Bath & Beyond stores! In addition, select items are on the shelves of Keystone Housewares, a specialty store in Central PA.

The line offers the convenience of full-size utensils but they take up much less storage space – and who couldn’t use more storage space in their kitchen!? Most of the utensils open and close via a hidden locking mechanism and can be used with handles folded or extended; when extended, they lock securely in place, and then unlock with the push of a button. The innovative products started with a single spatula design with XHP. Then Focus, XHP’s parent company, got involved and the product was expanded into an entire line. The collaboration involved all three companies, with the design and brainstorming led by Davison’s corporate design team.

All the products are highly innovative, but two of the “neatest ones of the whole group” are among the newest to hit the market – the can opener and cork screw, said Jason, the design manager. The Swingers Can Opener has an ergonomic grip and an offset crank, which adds “a lot more leverage” to the tool, so it’s much easier to use than standard can openers. The crank folds up compactly into the tool, so it also saves on space.

Most corkscrews are bulky, a pain to store and take up a lot of space in the kitchen drawers, said the design manager. Not this one. The Swingers Corkscrew is sleek, with an ergonomic grip, a safely retracted screw, and handles that are flush with the body when not in use. The eye-catching tool, which resembles a human figure, can even be stored standing on a shelf, Jason said.

“It’s cool enough; it looks neat and has a nice design.” 

Consumers are sure to agree! Congratulations to the entire team on an innovative new line that likely will be another big hit for Davison and our corporate clients.

Check out all the other Swingers on our product pages!

• Ladle

• Pasta Spoon

• Pastry Brush

• Potato Masher

• Silicone Spatula

• Skimmer

• Slotted Spoon

• Slotted Turner

• Large Slotted Turner

• Spoon

• Spoonula

• Turner

• Whisk

• Measuring Cups

• Measuring Spoons

• Ice Cream Scoop

What walks down stairs, alone or in pairs, makes a slinkity sound – and has made millions of dollars since it was invented in 1945?  The slinky, and other must-have toys and gadgets may be inexpensive to purchase, but continue to make their creators millions!  Today, we delve into our childhoods to explore the stories of 5 top toys that all started…with an idea!

The Slinky- Engineer Richard James and his wife, Betty, borrowed $500 to start production of this spiral-coiled success – which came from an idea Richard had aboard a World War II Naval ship, when a spring fell onto the floor and flip-flopped around, amusing him.  The James’ perfected the long, steel ribbon and Richard designed the machine that manufactured the 80-foot Slinky himself.  Although it took some persuading to get the Philadelphia department store, Gimbels, to market the toy – it sold out in 90 minutes!  Today, nearly 300-million Slinkys have sold…and, at $3.99 each, those sales add up…fast!

Pet Rock– Advertising executive Gary Dahl is the mastermind behind the $3.95 smiley-faced rock that made millions!  According to Dahl, the “pets” were created as a replacement for the hassle, mess and money of more-conventional pets, like cats and dogs.  His packaging even included a training manual with instructions on how to take care of, train and command the rocks!  Estimates show Dahl sold over 5 million pets in a six-month time period.

Koosh Balls– Originally invented to help his own children learn how to catch, engineer Scott Stillinger tied rubber bands together to make a soft ball that wouldn’t hurt their hands.  The name came from the “koosh” sound the ball made when it hit the ground.  Evolving from rubber bands, OddzOn, Stillinger’s company, says there are approximately 5,000 fibers that go into one ball!  The Koosh line included about 50 products in all, some of which are still on the market for only a few bucks!

Antenna Balls- While Jason Wall has “had a ball” with his invention, he has Jack to thank.  When Wall found out Jack in the Box had sold millions of “Jack” antenna balls, he got busy designing his own novelty creations.  Whether in the form of happy faces, cowgirls or sports logos, you’ve probably seen Wall’s designs as you’ve been out traveling.  With million-dollar sales since 1999, you may already have one on your own car!  If not, you can pick one up for about 4 bucks at your local gas station or convenience store!

Silly Bandz– A new trend for children of all ages, Robert Croak, the ingenious creator  of Silly Bandz, got his idea while on a Japanese business trip in 2002.  There, silicone bands were used as a more environmental-friendly option for rubber bands.  Croak, and his employer, BCP imports, transformed the office supplies into fashion must-haves by adding tons of shapes and colors.  First hitting the internet in 2008, Silly Bandz are now sold at over 8,000 locations nation-wide.  At around a couple bucks per pack, Croak says he’s shipping out millions of the bandz each week!  What’s even better – he’s selling them with NO advertising!  The buzz for the bandz is all on-line, and on the playground, of course!

So, whether these popular gadgets slink down the stairs, “koosh” against the ground or do nothing at all – they’re sure to bring a lot of fun to children of all ages – and a lot of “fun” money to their inventors!