Today, as many of us file our tax returns, we can pause to remember an inventor who was born 559 years ago today — and who was way ahead of his time.

Everyone knows Leonardo Da Vinci was an amazing painter (the Mona Lisa, the Last Supper), but did you know he was an innovator as well? He invented some objects that are commonly used today, such as the scissors, calculator, odometer, helicopter, crossbow and armored car— to name a few.

All of his inventions began as drawings in a journal that he never let out of his sight (Mr. D has something similar). Other people attempted to build some of the inventions from his drawings, but usually with no success. Modern scientists feel that his ideas were far too advanced for anyone of that time to comprehend. Most of Da Vinci’s scientific studies were largely ignored due to his lack of any formal education. Scholars of his day believed his ideas were costly and would most likely fail.

In 1502, he designed a 720-foot single span bridge as part of a civil engineering project for Sultan Beyazid II. The Sultan didn’t attempt to build the bridge, because he believed it was impossible. Leonardo’s vision was brought back to life in 2001 when a smaller bridge based on his design was created in Norway. In 2006, the Turkish government decided to construct Leonardo’s bridge to span the Golden Horn, a river that divides the city of Istanbul.

Most people knew that Leonardo was not the average man, but his works were still viewed as impractical, unrealistic, and out of reach. If he had listened to all the criticism and given up, many of the inventions we use every day may have never come to fruition.

Da Vinci is a true testament to believing in yourself and doing what you love. Happy 559th Birthday to a Remarkable Inventor!

George Davison is featured in a groundbreaking interview on the hit morning show “The Balancing Act,” on Lifetime TV. Mr. Davison, along with Sharon, inventor of the Cool Cot House, and Katie, president of Hugs Pet Products, team up to tell the full story of new product development and explain how the Davison Inventing Method gets new product ideas to the stores.

Mr. Davison is joined by Sharon, inventor of the Cool Cot House, and Katie, president of Hugs Pet Products, as they tell the story of inventing from three different perspectives and show how a new idea makes its way to the marketplace, from start to finish. Sharon talked about how she came up with the idea, Mr. Davison explained his development methodology, and Katie talked about how Hugs gets all of its product samples from Davison, which they take to buyers.

“It likely was the first time that an inventor, the developer and licensor, and the manufacturer and marketer were all on screen together, explaining how it takes a team to launch new products,” said Mr. Davison. “By having all three of us together, we have a really powerful story to tell, and viewers are getting to see first hand the value of what Davison has to offer.”

If you have a new product idea click here: To Submit Your Idea to Davison for a No Cost Consultation.

Mr. Davison soon will be featured on the hit Lifetime TV show where he will talk about how to bring new product ideas to life. He will be joined by Sharon, inventor of the Cool Cot House, and Katie, president of Hugs Pet Products, as they tell the story of inventing from three different perspectives and show how a new idea makes its way to the marketplace, from start to finish. The show will air on July 28 and August 11 at 7 a.m. (ET/PT). Check out the promo, and don’t miss the show!

History was made recently in a TV studio in Florida. Mr. Davison, Sharon (inventor of the Cool Cot House), and Katie (president of Hugs Pet Products), were jointly interviewed for a segment of “The Balancing Act,” an entertaining and educational show on Lifetime that is designed to inspire and empower women.

“It was the first time in history an inventor, the developer and licensor, and the manufacturer and marketer were all on screen together, explaining how it takes a team to launch new products,” said Mr. Davison.

Sharon, who was very open and down to earth, talked about how she came up with the idea, Mr. Davison talked in detail about our development methodology, and Katie talked about how Hugs gets all of its product samples from us, which they take to buyers.

“By having all three of us together, we had a really powerful story to tell, and their viewers are going to see first hand the value of what Davison has to offer,” Mr. Davison said. “It’s wonderful to sit in a studio and listen to your inventor client and your corporate customer complimenting and thanking you. Overall, it just feels good to contribute to something so positive.”

A Davison vice president who was in attendance also thought the taping was outstanding and significant. “It’s a great way to get the message out,” he said. “It was captivating to have the story told from three different perspectives, and to show the whole idea from start to finish … I don’t think it’s ever been done.”

Sharon was “spot on,” Mr. D. was “just great” in explaining our method, Katie “bubbled on screen” and the host “brought out the best in everybody,” said the VP.

“It’s just great to have wonderful clients who have the desire and the strength internally to bring something better into the world,” said Mr. Davison. “I like being around people like that.”

Check back here for updates about The Balancing Act segment as we get closer to the airing date later this summer. And stay tuned for the touching story of “Ducky,” the shelter dog that was used to demonstrate the Cool Cot House!

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.

There are a lot of theories out there about when to patent your product idea. At Davison, we follow the strategy of “BUILD BEFORE YOU PATENT,” which also happens to be the business strategy of most manufacturers. New product development is a balancing act, and the best tight-rope walkers in this industry to learn from are product manufacturers. So … logic says “THINK LIKE A MANUFACTURER.” Ask yourself, “Would a manufacturer of this product do that?”

Logically apply the protection process to your new product idea. Most patent attorneys will have you believe that patenting is the first critical step in inventing. Once you file a patent application all eyes can evaluate what you’re trying to invent and protect. This is not good! There’s nothing more disturbing than the USPTO letting “patent poachers” look at the applications before issuing patents when approximately 50% of all patent applications received are rejected. Manufacturers understand this and, in general, file for patents only after they have their new product ready for production.

Next time you’re in the store look to see how many products are not patented. Sometimes manufacturers simply determine they aren’t going to spend the time patenting simple items. You might also look at the back of a product and notice “Patent Pending.” This means patent applications were filed with the USPTO but not yet granted – it could take two years to get an issued patent. Can you imagine a manufacturer sitting around waiting two years before they try to turn a profit on their new product?

Our approach to inventing practically mirrors how manufacturers create, design and develop new products. We do NOT follow the old method of “patent first and then figure out what the product is later.” Scores of patents are rendered useless because the original design is too expensive to manufacture or is filled with design flaws. Concentrate on product design and then go the extra mile to figure out the product packaging solution before applying for a patent. Manufacturers do … so you should, as well.

Patenting can be a critical element in protecting your product; notice we said product, not idea. Invent, design, develop, package and then start considering the protection process. Our system can greatly assist you in your quest, and if you’re interested in having a no-cost consultation of your idea with us, click here to fill out our Confidentiality Agreement.

We’ve just added five new stores for seven products, which brings our total count of stores that are selling or have sold Davison products and packaging solutions to 506!

The products that were just picked up by these new retailers are the Ultimate Stiletto, Luma Threader, Better Bobbin, Petite Press, Travel Folding Stitcher’s Tools, Cool Cot House and Dog Wash.

The new stores which have added these innovative crafting and pet products are OzQuilts, Jenny’s Sewing Studio, Hancock Fabrics, Cozy Winters and Litterboy — more good news for Davison and for our clients, as well as for consumers looking for great new products!

The Silicone Dessert Bar Pan that we created for our client, Joseph, is now on the market and our website! The innovative bakeware is featured in the latest issue of the popular catalog, Get Organized, as well as on Get Organized.com. It looks like the product is getting off to a great start – QVC has already ordered samples for an airing sometime in the coming months, and it soon will be on the store shelves of Kitchen Collections and Hobby Lobby (700 total stores).

Joseph struggled along the way never gave up, said his Director of New Products.  “He was so passionate about the product he found a way to make it happen.”

Congratulations to everyone who worked on this great product and made another dream come true!

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

The Meatball Baker, which we designed for our client, Jean, is now for sale in Kim’s Store on Komando.com!! Kim Komando has evolved into a national digital guru and operates a growing media empire. Her weekly three-hour call-in talk radio show is heard on over 450 stations, she sends out close to 10 million e-mail newsletters weekly, authors a widely syndicated newspaper column, and was a featured speaker at Fortune Magazine’s 2009 Most Powerful Women Summit. Kim’s online store features specially selected items in various categories. Davison’s Meatball Baker is shown at the top of the cooking products page, which states the bakeware “Makes food delicious and healthier!” Congratulations to our client and everyone who worked on this fantastic product!

The Better Bobbin Winder  and the Petite Press that we developed for Prym’s Dritz line are now selling in Kmart! The products have really taken off since they were launched in JoAnn stores. We designed the Bobbin Winder for a client who wanted a quick and convenient way to fill bobbins directly from the sewing machine. (The client is receiving royalties but has not yet realized a net profit.) We designed packaging for the Petite Press to clearly communicate its great features. No doubt, the addition of this major retailer will result in more royalties for all! 

Davison’s quarterly company meeting was packed full of good news about the 43 new products and packaging with the Davison “D” that have gone to stores in the first quarter of 2010. “This is huge win,” said the Vice President of Licensing several times during the meeting.

He revealed 15 – 20 new products that are or soon will be selling in a wide variety of stores, including the Luma Threader and Ergo Stiletto, two more sewing tools that we redesigned for the Fons & Porter product line. The manufacturer loved our redesign, including the lighted feature on the threader, and the products are selling very well, said the VP.

A new client product, the Silicone Dessert Bar Pan, will air this summer on QVC, and it will ship in store packaging complete with the Davison “D,” as opposed to a plain brown package. We also received word that Kitchen Collections and Hobby Lobby have both placed orders for the innovative product.

The 10 car cleaning items we developed for the Helping Hands line are available for purchase and also have been presented to Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and “every big boy out there,” he said. The line also includes a product created by a client who hired us after he could not fully develop it on his own.

The fabric birdhouse and birdfeeder we designed for Hugs Pet Products are now in Menards, a chain of 250 home improvement stores in the Midwest, and they also are selling at e-tailers.

New packaging we created for products that have hit the stores include several home décor items that have been picked up by Big Lots and Belle’s — both of which are new stores for Davison. There are also 5 additional Comfort Products cushions on the shelves (3 in AutoZone and 2 in Walmart).

“This year we’re going to see a huge increase in all the packaging we’re doing for them,” the VP said. We also will have packaging “all over board” for Metro, such as pet products, home décor, housewares, silverware and storage — and we just picked up another order, with many more items headed to Davison for packaging!

“They’re happy with our work, the quick turnaround time and the quality packaging,” said the senior category director.

The best thing about creating new packaging for companies, other than the Davison “D,” is the fact we’ve created trademarked logos and a new look for the products, which provides royalties and an updated brand that communicates clearly to consumers.

“Congratulations to everyone involved with all the new products and packaging in the first quarter,” the VP told the company. “It’s a great accomplishment, and you’re going to continue to see more.”

The client’s whose products are mentioned in this post have not received a net profit.