Our History
The story of how Davison got started.
In 1986, Mr. Davison, like many idea people, had several new product ideas. One was to prevent toothbrush germs from spreading and getting everyone in his family sick. After spending more than two years and nearly every dime he had trying to bring his idea to life, a major corporation beat him to the market with the same idea.
That corporation beat him to the punch because they had a method for building new products quickly and a way to get them to the market. Why didn't Idea People like Mr. Davison have access to a similar process; an affordable idea to product method like the one major corporations used?
It was at that moment that Mr. Davison saw a need... and necessity is the mother of invention. He needed everything under one roof to invent his products in a timely, efficient and cost-effective manner. He needed to be able to compete.
Mr. Davison dreamed of creating a new method that would benefit future generations of Idea People. It took years of experimentation to figure out the best means to affordably transform ideas into products. He had failures and successes that led him to the best approach. Eventually, he found a method that worked.
It took our founder more than two decades to develop an invention method that would forever change how product ideas... become actual products. Then, Entrepreneur Magazine dubbed him a "Creative Genius," and the rest is history.
20 Years of New Invention Development - A History Timeline
December 2011
Davison-designed Pugz Shoes for Dogs, a client invention that was licensed by Hugs Pet Products, are making quite the impression on the market! Selling nationwide at Bed Bath & Beyond and Meijer.com, the faux fur and faux leather shoes are featured in both retailers' advertised holiday deals - not to mention various YouTube videos, which show adorable pets trying out their shoes for the first time!
Davison is recognized in an allbusiness.com article for past participation in a local radio fundraising event to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. This year, Davison makes another significant contribution to the Toys for Tots Foundation, helping a local chapter surpass previous years' donations.
Davison's creative design facility, Inventionland, is featured online as part of website design expert, Mishil Patel's, international blog. In the post, Patel remarks on how Inventionland is "one of the most intuitive work environments ever."
Mr. Davison and creationeers from Davison's creative design facility, Inventionland, are featured in the History Channel's "Inventionland." The reality TV special, set in the Pittsburgh design facility, follows three hopeful Davison clients as they pursue their invention ideas.
November 2011
Davison-designed products are now available on even more store shelves across the world! Chicago Metallic's Cupcake Surprise Pan that our team designed is seen on the shelves, in the catalog and on the website of Sur La Table!
The Silicone Cookie Bowls, which you can fill with fruit, pudding, ice cream and more, that we designed for Xtraordinary Home Products are now available in pumpkin and heart shapes! Similar to the Silicone Dessert Bar Pan we designed for our client Joseph, these bowls are really taking off!
In time for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Turkey Cakelette Pan with Stencil, a spin-off of the Silicone Dessert Bar Pan that we designed for our client, Joseph, is now available at Amazon.com, Sur La Table and Chicago Metallic online. The pan provides a fun, new way to personalize holiday treats for family and friends.
October 2011
Our Original Perfect Pizza Pan is tested and rated by an Ingredient Magazine reader. The magazine features the pan with the results: "it's fun for the whole family!" The pan, which allows users to customize every slice, was invented by a former client, who is now our company President!
We welcome Kay, inventor of Pugz Shoes for Dogs, to Inventionland, our creative design facility. Her visit marks the same month that Pugz Tennis Shoes hit the market. Currently, Pugz are available at hugspetproducts.com, Bed Bath and Beyond and Amazon.com.
September 2011
After being featured on numerous blogs, like Dashing for Deals and The Jolly Blogger and in TOMI magazine, the Davison-designed, client-inspired TheraPED that was licensed by Health Enterprises is to be included in gift bags given to performers at the 45th Annual Country Music Association Awards! (the client has not made a profit on the product)
Our licensing team hits the road for the first trade show of the fall season – at "The Pet Industry's Hot Spot," SuperZoo in Las Vegas! With Hugs Pet Products, many Davison designs are showcased to nationwide retailers like PETCO, Bed Bath & Beyond and others!
August 2011
Inventionland, Mr. Davison and our client, Jean, who invented the Meatball Baker, are featured on CBS' "The Early Show!" Once the segment airs, it appears on many online sites, like CNET, Yahoo! News, Twitter, YouTube, TV.com, various CBS affiliates and blogs!
Davison-designed products and packaging solutions have now sold in over 1,000 stores! Helping us reach this milestone, big-name stores, including Ross and Shop NBC, add the Davison "D" to their shelves. Internally, we mark the milestone with an employee celebration at Inventionland!
Our creative design facility, Inventionland, is featured in the National Examiner. The nationwide tabloid features the creative workspace in a two-page layout, saying it "keeps inventors on track," is "one hull of a place to work" and "is the icing on the top of a really sweet job!"
Two products we created for clients that were licensed by Hugs Pet Products win Retailers' Top Pick Awards! The Silicone Dog Treat Pan is a top vote-getter and the Better Tether is the third-highest vote-getter in the competition sponsored by Pet Product News International!
CVS picks up the 6-in-1 Manicure Multitool, a product we created for our client Cathalene and that was licensed by Health Enterprises! Look for the product under the "Portables, by Essence of Beauty" brand name on CVS store shelves! This client product has not realized a net profit. A typical project does not get a royalty agreement, sell in stores or generate a profit.
Our Licensing Department attends the ASD Las Vegas Trade Show, making inroads with major retailers! We talk with Metro Design and several other companies at the wholesale buying event.
July 2011
The Executive Director of the Grable Foundation visits Inventionland and commends us for "igniting the spark of creativity" that is so important to the mission of Kidsburgh, a collaborative effort to make Pittsburgh the best place for kids on the planet!
Walmart.com picks up the Helping Hand Car Cleaning Kit with Bucket Bench that we designed for Faucet Queen. The all-in-one kit includes and keeps handy the necessary car washing tools and provides a place for users to sit while cleaning and detailing a vehicle.
Inventionland is featured on NBC's "Daily Connection." Thanks to the news program, "the world's most creative workplace" is in the homes of families in many major TV markets, including New York City.
Our "world's most creative workplace" goes international again! Polish magazine "Focus-Coaching" recognizes Inventionland and Mr. Davison in their "Boss in a Tree" article.
June 2011
Davison's President and the VP of Licensing attend the National Association of Chain Drug Stores Marketplace in Boston, where seven new products that we designed for Health Enterprises are featured for more than 230 retail company representatives to see.
The Freshtainer, a Davison-designed product for XHP, is on the market and appearing in 988 Ross Dress for Less® locations nationwide. By enabling airflow into the container, the Freshtainer helps keep produce fresh for much longer than standard containers.
FIDO Friendly magazine tests and unanimously approves another Davison-designed product! The Auto Dish, a durable pet bowl with an adjustable, automatic lid, is featured on the magazine's blog, where one reviewer raved "You won't have to worry about [food] going bad, getting spoiled or getting any nasty germs in it."
Mr. Davison attends William Penn Elementary School's Invention Convention and meets with some enterprising young inventors who designed innovative, new products to enhance everyday life. The convention, which was featured on a local media blog, was sparked by an earlier visit the students had made to America's Largest Invention Factory, Davison's Inventionland.
A recent Inventionland visit by a group of North Allegheny High School students hits the press! The North Journal, a Trib Total Media newspaper, posts several photos from the visit in their daily publication, plus an entire slideshow of images online!
May 2011
Davison's President and the VP of Licensing make the most of the opportunity to network with corporations as they unveil exciting new products at the 2011 National Hardware Show in Las Vegas. Drillcraft Tools Corporation receives good feedback on new tools that we developed and licensed to the company. More details are to be unveiled in the coming months.
Mr. Davison returns to his high school alma mater, The Kiski School, a private 9-12 school. It is the oldest remaining non-military, all-male boarding school in the United States, and 100% of graduates go on to a 4-year college or university. Mr. Davison is invited to speak to the senior class to give them some guidance on deciding on a career path. All the students are impressed by what their predecessor has done with his entrepreneurial skills.
We never get tired of seeing it – the Dog Wash is featured in the latest In the Company of Dogs catalog. The summer preview issue shows the Dog Wash as modeled by a very content Labrador Retriever, and the caption, "Bath time made easy," says it all!
More Davison-designed products have hit the big screen! Several innovative Hugs Pet Products are featured on Welcome Home, the Time Warner Home Network's #1 show for home and family! Already hugely successful at the 2011 Global Pet Expo in Orlando this March, Hugs President, Katie, shows off the Dog Wash, Better Tether and all three hydrating chew toys in the Hydros line – the Hydro Bone, Hydro Ball and Hydro Saucer!
April 2011
The Fill 'N Grill stuffed burger maker, which we created for Xtraordinary Home Products, makes its debut on QVC and is a huge success! Fitness guru Chris Freytag presents the product on "In the Kitchen with David," and all units ordered are sold in just three minutes! In addition, more than 2,000 sign up on a waiting list for the innovative product.
Inventionland, Davison's creative design facility, wins the inaugural CRIB (Creative Rooms In Business) Award at the Pittsburgh Technology Council's third annual DATA Awards held to recognize the region's best and brightest in creativity, innovation and technology. The prestigious award "celebrates creative work environments incorporating non-traditional design, unique methods of company community, artwork or space that encourages creativity."
The Better Tether, which started out as just an idea in the mind of our client, Ed, is now in production. The product offers a more humane and convenient way to tether a dog outdoors – it provides a constant source of food and water that cannot be spilled, and it never has to be moved for the lawnmower! The product had a great showing at the Global Pet Expo in March, and it will be on store shelves by June!
The Air-Rack, the first product we created for New Product Kingdom, has expanded into Canada! The inflatable heavy-duty roof rack makes its debut on the shelves of TIM-BR Mart, Canada's largest dealer owned building materials buying group. Congratulations to all who worked on this innovative product!
Inventionland is featured on Toxel.com as an "unusual and creative office." Toxel.com, a blog that focuses on innovative ideas and tech concepts, showcases a few of the imaginative sets that make up Inventionland. Bloggers around the "entire world" are taking notice, and design enthusiasts are posting comments such as, "This has to be the best office in the entire world!"
March 2011
Inventionland is featured in Luxury and Top Design magazines as one of the most creative workplaces in the world. Top Design displayed Inventionland at the very beginning of a long list that includes companies such as Twitter, Mozilla, Cartoon Network, and Google's Pittsburgh office. Luxury Magazine recognized that "the best work comes out of the spirit of play." Inventionland is also featured in the design blog "Toxel."
The Bread-It "Ultimate Breading Station" that we created for Xtraordinary Home Products, makes its debut on QVC. The innovative kitchen product, which keeps all breading ingredients (egg, flour, bread crumbs) neat and organized, is presented by Mary Louise Kier on the popular "In the Kitchen with David" show.
Numerous retail outlets have added Davison designs to their inventory, bringing the total number of stores that have sold Davison-designed products and packaging solutions to an astonishing 900! Newer and older Davison designs continue to be picked up by specialized niche market online sites, as well as established brick and mortar retailers.
HomeWorld Business magazine features a full-page article on new bakeware options, including the Surprise Filled Dessert Pan, created by our corporate team, and two client products - the Silicone Dessert Bar Pan and the Perfect Portion Petite Dessert Pan. With great products like these, it's no wonder the editors took notice!
The Hydro Ball and the Hydro Saucer join the Hugs Pet Products' Hydro Bone in the marketplace. The Hydro Ball is a refreshing chew toy that keeps canines cool and content in hot weather, with a rubber sponge-like design. The Hydro Saucer is shaped like a disc/frisbee and works much like the Hydro Ball to offer fun and refreshment at the same time!
February 2011
The Sweetheart Silicone Dessert Pan and the Easter Egg Silicone Dessert Pan are now on the market. The Sweetheart Pan, which makes heart-shaped treats, is in the stores just in time for Valentine's Day! Both pans have joined the original Silicone Dessert Bar Pan, invented by our client, in Hobby Lobby, A.C. Moore, and Montgomery Ward.
Davison presents its "What Will You Create?" award to an inventive team of students from Gateway High School for its "Gator Vendomator" machine, which they entered in the Chain Reaction Contraption competition at Carnegie Science Center. The contraption made change for a dollar bill in 22 steps using a series of levers.
Several Davison-designed products are on display at the 2011 Craft & Hobby Association Winter Convention & Trade Show, the world's largest professional craft and hobby show. The products, which we created for Prym, Darice and Fons & Porter, include the Twirl-A-Ring, Travel Folding Stitcher's Tools, and many more.
The Cool Cot House, which we developed for Hugs and our client, is featured in Real Simple, a monthly women's interest magazine. The product is in "Daily Finds" as one of 7 warm-weather pet products recommended by the magazine, which is all about "making life easier, every day.
The Healthy Steps Portion Control Serving Set that we created in collaboration with Jokari is now in Avon, the world's largest direct seller! The catalog states the utensils, which hold one serving each of vegetables, starches and protein, will help women "kick start their way to healthy eating."
January 2011
Our client, inventor of the Silicone Dessert Bar Pan, is featured with his product in the Cooking / Gadgets column on Kitchenware Today. The magazine reports "on the big news across the housewares and major appliance industries to let consumers know what new products are available in stores today, and what's coming tomorrow."
The Hydro Bone line of hydrating chew toys that we created for Hugs Pet Products is featured on Good Morning America! The line is one of two new toys chosen by Dr. Marty Becker, "America's Veterinarian," for his top picks for Best New Pet Products for 2011!
The Twirl-a-Ring, which we created for Darice, has hit the market and is selling in Pat Catan's, as well as several independent craft stores. The multi-gauge mandrel, which can make three sizes of jump rings, is also on its way to the Crafts & Hobby Association show.
The Healthy Steps Pasta Baskets, which we conceived in collaboration with Jokari, is featured on Kitchen Critic, a British site about "anything and everything you'll want for your kitchen." The writer describes the product as "a great tool for pasta lovers" that will "ensure you know exactly what you are eating" to help with counting calories.
The Dog Wash, Hydro Bone and Chew Core, which we created for Hugs Pet Products, are featured in the early spring 2011 issue of the upscale In the Company of Dogs. The catalog describes the Hydro Bone as "the toy that refreshes;" the Chew Core - "An 'apple' a day keeps the plaque away!" and the Dog Wash - "Bath time made easy!"
December 2010
The Silicone Dessert Bar Pan, a client product, has a great showing on QVC and gets fantastic consumer reviews at major retailers, such as Bed Bath & Beyond. Versions of the bakeware for holiday-themed treats are also in the works! The pan is picked up by other major retailers and is also named Davison Product of the Year.
Numerous retail outlets have added Davison designs to their inventory, and by December, the total number of stores that have sold Davison-designed products and packaging solutions tops an astounding 800!!
The Bread-It Ultimate Breading Station that we created for XHP is featured in the latest edition of HomeWorld Business magazine! The innovative item, which keeps breading ingredients neat and organized, is also headed to the marketplace and for a big QVC debut!
Several products in the new Swingers by Swing Away line of kitchen utensils that we created for XHP are already on the store shelves at Keystone Housewares, as well as in a test at select Bed Bath & Beyond stores! The folding utensils open and close via a hidden locking mechanism, thereby taking up less storage space.
The Chew Core plaque removing toy that we created for Hugs Pet Products is featured in the 2010 Holiday Gift Guide of PetMD, the largest global source of pet health information. The product, which safely satisfies a dog's desire to chew, is one of 30 "top holiday pet toys and products" this holiday season!
November 2010
Two new packaging products we created for Comfort Products' Fuel line are going to Walmart - the Off Road Gloves and the Handlebar Bag. They join the rest of the line for which we created all the packaging, a total of 9 products - 4 gloves in 2 sizes each, plus the new bag that lets bikers easily carry belongings on rides.
The Dog Wash and Hydro Bone that we created for Hugs Pet Products are winners of a 2010 Dog Fancy Editors' Choice Award! They are featured in "Gear of the Year," top picks of the best new dog products, as chosen by editors of the most widely read dog magazine, who stated: "Each product earned our seal of approval by offering innovative solutions to everyday problems or giving new life to an old idea."
Inventionland is featured in The Sun, the biggest-selling newspaper in the UK! The daily tabloid, which has an average circulation of nearly 3 million copies a day, shows several eye-catching photos and describes Davison's incredible design facility as a "Fairytale-style HQ" and a "wonderful workplace."
The Oil Filter Gripper celebrates 17 years in the marketplace! First licensed in 1993 by Flo Tools International, the IDEA Award-winning Oil Filter Gripper was one of the first major successful products we designed for our clients, and it is still going strong!
Three new innovations we created for Hugs Pet Products have hit the market: the Chew Core, a plaque-removing chew toy; the Potty Paws, a pet waste disposal system; and the Air Puff Bed, an inflatable bed that offers relief for pets with arthritis. The Hugs brand, powered by the Davison "D", continues to become known for products that enhance the quality of life for pets.
October 2010
All 17 products we created for Jokari's Healthy Steps line are now on the market! The innovative kitchen utensils, which include serving, preparation and portioning tools, are designed to help control portion sizes and make preparing wholesome foods at home easier, thereby helping individuals to eat healthier and live a lifestyle of wellness.
Inventionland garners worldwide attention on dozens of blogs that showcase awesome office spaces and tech news, including Office Snapshots and This Aint No Disco. Bloggers around the world continue to pick up the story and also translate it into other languages.
The Surprise Filled Dessert Pan, which we created for XHP, is launched over the airwaves on "Cooking on Q Day," QVC's biggest cooking event of the year! Several thousand units are sold in the first few minutes of the presentation during "In the Kitchen with David," which shows all the scrumptious delights that can be baked muffin / cupcake pan.
Test infomercials of the Davison-designed Never Night, an advanced lighting system, run on several networks: History Channel, History International, Hallmark, Discovery, Military Discovery, Science and Biography. The 2-minute spot shows how the product, which we created for a client, provides instant illumination whenever the lights go out.
September 2010
The Fuel helmet line, for which we created innovative packaging, has raced into new territory! The helmets in Davison packaging are headed for the shelves of Canadian Tire, Canada's largest general merchandise retailer. Fuel edged out a major competitor last year to take over the business in Walmart, thanks to Davison packaging.
Mr. Davison is interviewed live on Inventor's Showcase on Blog Talk Radio. He has a lively and informative discussion about inventing and bringing a new product to market with the host of Your 15 Minutes Radio and a guest host inventor. Following the show, the guest host tweets: "A wealth of great info from Mr. George Davison!"
Shoe Tubes, one of the first products we designed for Honey Can Do, launches into the marketplace in Sky Mall! The collapsible, versatile and stackable unit organizes and stores three pairs of footwear. It's a great example of adding a new twist to an old product to make it unique and attractive to buyers and consumers.
The Compact Kitchen Shopping Organizer, which we created for a client, sells out during its marketplace debut on QVC! The item keeps three lists handy at one time for multiple store lists, "to-do" lists, or for keeping track of projects. It is featured during the popular "In the Kitchen" with David segment on the popular shopping network.
Silicone Dessert Bar Pan, another client product, is picked up by Bed Bath & Beyond and it continues to sell very well at other retail outlets. Versions of the pan for holiday-themed treats are also in the works for next year!
Davison products and packaging solutions have now sold in more than 700 stores! Newer and older Davison designs continue to be picked up by specialized niche market online sites, as well as established retailers. The ever-popular Meatball Baker is picked up by another big name - the Better Homes & Gardens store!
August 2010
Bed, Bath & Beyond, the #1 superstore domestics retailer, picks up three Davison-designed Hugs Pet Products - Pugz Shoes, Cool Cot and Auto Pet Dish - for a test in select stores. All three have been developed for our clients through Davison's collaboration with the corporation; they are the first Hugs products to hit BB&B's shelves.
Michaels, the largest arts and crafts retail chain in the world, adds the Party Traveler to its shelves in many of its brick-and-mortar stores. The product, which debuted as a Today's Special Value item on QVC, is the first Davison-designed product to sell in Michael's - but likely will not be the last!
The Air Rack, an inflatable vehicle roof rack that we created for New Product Kingdom, is picked up for a test in the Home Hardware chain - Canada's largest independent home improvement retailer! The heavy-duty inflatable roof rack, which provides an instant and lightweight rack to hold oversize loads, is the first we designed for the company to go to market.
With the addition of so many retailers in recent months, our total store count climbs to over 600 - an astounding number that can't be matched by anyone else in the industry! The new stores include major brick-and-mortar retailers, as well as online specialty stores.
The Twirl-a-Ring, the first product we created for craft industry leader Darice, is on its way to Pat Catan's and other independent craft stores. The product, which makes multiple sizes of jump rings for jewelry, is also headed for the Crafts & Hobby Association show.
July 2010
Founder and CEO George Davison is featured in a "corporate spotlight" in the July issue of American Executive, a magazine read by business executives from the entire range of U.S. industries. The article, titled "Creative Profits," explains how the Davison Inventing Method works and why Mr. Davison is becoming known as "the Henry Ford of Inventing" for making new product development affordable for individuals, as well as corporations.
George Davison is featured on Lifetime TV's hit morning show "The Balancing Act!" In the groundbreaking interview, viewers hear the full story of new product development from three perspectives - the developer, the inventor, and the manufacturer. Mr. Davison, our inventor client, Sharon, and Katie, president of Hugs Pet Products, explain how the Davison Inventing Method gets new product ideas to the stores.
The long-awaited Hydro Bone that we created for Hugs Pet Products hits the market, landing in Doctors Foster and Smith, the largest pet supply cataloger in the nation. The innovative hydrating chew toy keeps dogs and puppies cool and content in hot weather. Dr. Fosters and Smith posts a cool video of the product on their website.
The Summer Product Party and meeting is full of great news; in the last quarter 10 new Davison-designed products are on their way to the marketplace, and 5 new packaging solutions also have hit the market.
June 2010
The word is getting out about the "#1 Invention Destination in the World." The Inventionland iPhone app is now live and available to millions of iPhone users. The app describes "the world's most advanced creative facility" and enables users to go on a virtual tour with George Davison. Users also can submit an idea through the app, or view the Inventionland book, which comes alive through added vocals and sound effects.
As a Business & Industry Council member of the Sen. John Heinz History Center, Davison is proud to be the sponsor of "Washington and Western Pennsylvania." The groundbreaking program explores the varied lives of George Washington and includes a behind-the-scenes exhibit talk by the head curator of the museum, presentations by scholars and an actor-historian from Mt. Vernon portraying "The General."
The innovative Travel Folding Stitcher's Tools that we created for Prym is featured on the "Sewing Goods & Gadgets" page of Sew Beautiful, the leading American magazine devoted to heirloom sewing, smocking and the fine needle arts. Titled "Stitch and Go," the write-up states the tool is great for travel and is "a clever little invention" that "puts tools right at your fingertips."
Four new 'wellness' products for which we created all the packaging, photography and in-use shots are now selling on Walmart.com. The Comfort Me Spa Sets and the Relaxzen 5-Motor Massage Mat with Heat are the first in a new line of more than 20 individual wellness items that we have worked on for Comfort Products, as we help the manufacturer branch out into other areas.
May 2010
Our RV Leveler is in the news again! The wireless electronic leveling product, which we designed for CIPA, is featured in the May 2010 issue of RV PRO, a major trade publication for the RV industry that is targeted to 15,000 RV industry professionals. The RV Leveler, which eliminates the need for a second person to level an RV, is prominently shown in the Special Product Focus: "Jacks, Levelers and Ride Control."
The Silicone Dessert Bar Pan is now on the market! The innovative flexible bakeware, which remains cool to the touch, is featured in the latest issue of the popular catalog, "Get Organized," as well as on Get Organized.com. QVC orders samples of the product for an airing on the nation's most popular home shopping network later in the year, and the product is also headed to the store shelves of 700 Kitchen Collections and Hobby Lobby stores!
Factory samples of household and automotive aftermarket products developed by Davison receive good feedback at the 2010 National Hardware Show. The products, licensed by Metro Design, are very well received when presented to corporate buyers. While at the show, our Licensing Team also strengthens and builds relationships with dozens of corporations and strategic partners in the manufacturing industry.
Numerous retail outlets have added Davison designs to their inventory, bringing our total store count above an astounding 500 retailers that have sold Davison-designed products and packaging solutions! Davison's "Find the 'D' and You Could Win Money!" giveaway is launched to celebrate the milestone. To reward our fans, people who submit photos of themselves in the stores with one of our products are entered into a monthly drawing to win a $500 gift card to the store of their choice that carries Davison products and packaging!
April 2010
One of the most exciting new lines at The Global Pet Expo was Hugs Pet Products. The more than 30 products in the Hugs booth all carried the Davison "D" and were "very well received," said Davison's VP of Licensing. The pet industry's largest annual trade show was a wonderful venue to introduce the company's new brand, which we created to give the product a higher end look.
The Petite Press mini iron, for which Davison created innovative packaging, is featured in the June issue of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine, that hit the newsstands in April. The mini iron, which "packs a lot of heat for its size," is featured under "favorite finds" in the Better Homes and Gardens publication, which is read by more than 300,000 sewing and quilting enthusiasts.
Davison founder George Davison's new coffee table book about Inventionland is for sale on Amazon! "The World's First Inventionland" showcases Davison's unique and creative environment and is designed to inspire creativity. Mr. Davison is inspired by the responses of readers: The book includes a 4 1/2-foot-long four-page centerfold that gives a panoramic view of the creative design facility.
The Meatball Baker and the Party on the Go that we created for our clients, Jean and Joy, are featured in the Mother's Day Kitchen Gift Guide on "Once a Month Mom," a popular website full of tips for busy moms. The site gave our products great reviews, and gave away the Meatball Baker in its Mother's Day Kitchen Gift Guide giveaway.
George Davison accepted a position on the I2E (Idea to Execution) board at Suffolk University, which conducts the New Product Innovation Competition at the university's Sawyer Business School. The annual competition helps innovator students convert their ideas into products. Mr. Davison previously was a judge and Keynote Speaker. Now, he will have an even greater role in "turning Innovators into Entrepreneurs."
March 2010
AutoZone, the nation's leading retailer of automotive replacement parts and accessories, added several packaging products that we created for Comfort Products' Relaxzen brand to its shelves. Our design with the blue color scheme and checkerboard is now the standard Relaxzen automotive brand look.
Davison products and packaging got great reviews at the 2010 International Housewares Show. Counting finished product samples and products that are on their way or are already on the market, there were well over 50 samples at the show carrying the Davison name, including a new line of wellness products. Six products that debuted at the show also are headed for QVC!
The Better Bobbin, a motorized sewing product we developed for a client, was featured as a "versatile bobbin winder" in a 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.
February 2010
George Davison, founder and CEO, is featured in "Edison's Concrete Piano," a new book about celebrated innovators of historic and modern times. The book features "tales of independent inventors and their struggles." A chapter devoted to Mr. Davison explores some of his successes and challenges, as well as his greatest invention - the methodology that makes inventing affordable to the everyday person.
The Davison "D" made its mark at the Craft & Hobby Association show, with 10 Davison products in the booths. Buyer feedback was great on products we designed for Prym that have been selling in Jo-Ann's, as well as two new ones to hit the retailer's shelves -- the Quilt 'n Go and Travel Folding Stitcher's Tool.
Ten new Comfort Products cushion items for which we created the packaging, landed in Walmart. The 10 items, which include massaging and orthopedic car seat cushions, completed the line of 11 Relaxzen seat cushions that replaced those of a competitor on the megastore's shelves.
The Helping Hands line of nine car cleaning items we created for Faucet Queen hit the marketplace. Several of the innovative products were slated for Pep Boys, and Walgreen's placed an order for the Interior Detail Tool. All the innovative tools were featured on the homepage of Faucet Queen's website.
January 2010
Three Davison-designed products -- Meatball Baker, Party on the Go and Perfect Slice were featured in the Winter 2009 edition of "Innovation," the quarterly design publication of the Industrial Designers Society of America. The products, two of which we developed for clients, were displayed on a full-page spread -- right up there with G.E., Bunn, Bosch, Oreck and Pyrex!
Our innovative RV Leveler was in the news again - this time as a featured new RV product in the January 2010 issue of Family Motor Coach Association magazine. With approximately 103,000 active member families, FMCA is the world's largest motorhome owners group.
The Pizza Keeper, which we designed for a client, hit the market in Fresh Finds, the source for "affordable kitchen and home solutions." The product, which stores leftover pizza compactly in the refrigerator, also got picked up by QVC for its 2010 schedule.
Six more candle products in the Bella Grace line, for which we created the packaging, went to market. The products (13 in all) are selling in outlet stores owned by Variety Wholesalers, which has more than 200 stores throughout the South.
2009
In March, our client's Meatball Baker sold out during its QVC debut from the International Housewares Show. The product also sold out in subsequent airings and earned a Customer Top Rating on QVC.com.
In June, our client's Party on the Go food travel caddy had a big marketplace debut as a "Today's Special Value" item on QVC. More than 70 news agencies picked up the story of our client and her product.
In June, the American Pediatric Medical Association (APMA) approved Tru-Ice for its Seal of Acceptance. TRU-ICE, which we developed for Health Enterprises, provides complete ice massage therapy in one third the time of ice bags.
In July, the number of stores that have sold our products and packaging exceeded 400! We added numerous retail outlets selling Davison products and packaging and also saw more products in big name retailers, such as Kohl's, Walgreens, Sears and Target.
In September, four innovative sewing products we developed for Prym went into Jo-Ann Stores nationwide -- the Better Bobbin, Petite Press, Quick Cut and Travel Folding Stitcher's Tools. Pet products we developed for clients also were picked up by SkyMall and many other retailers.
In October, the RV Leveler that we developed for CIPA was the featured "New Product" of the month in RV News, "the voice of the RV industry" Subsequently, the product also was featured by RV Daily Report and several other media outlets.
In November, the first in a line of 11 Comfort Products seat cushions for which we designed the packaging went to Walmart, which placed a large order for the Christmas season. Our design team created packaging that enables consumers to immediately understand what the product does through the use of icons combined with graphics to convey the unique features of each product.
In 2009, Davison celebrates its 20th year in business! The anniversary marks an important milestone in the growing company's history.
2008
"Inventionland" was featured among "40 Amazing-Looking Design Offices" in the January/February 2008 issue of I.D. Magazine. The article stated, "It may look like a theme park, but Davison International's workspace is teeming with productivity."
In April, Davison designed creative packaging solutions for Comfort Products' line of "Fuel" helmets. The package enables consumers to try on a helmet without taking it out of the box. The helmet line has replaced its largest competitor in WalMart.
In August, Davison's 360 Wrist Therapy Brace received an honorable mention in the new products category of I.D. Magazine's 54th Annual Design Review. Judges proclaimed the product was a "great idea" and easy to put on with one hand.
2007
In the summer of 2007, Davison's Jack 'N Stand received an honorable mention in the concept design category of I.D. Magazine's 53rd Annual Design Review. The Jack 'N Stand is an innovative automobile jack that simplifies the car-lifting process.
This fall, Davison received "tree-mendous" recognition from Ripley's Believe It or Not! Inventionland, Davison's incredible creative design facility, was featured as a truly unbelievable office space in Ripley's latest book, "The Remarkable... Revealed."
2006
In June, Davison designers won two Industrial Design Excellence Awards from BusinessWeek and the Industrial Designers Society of America. The innovative Hover Creeper garnered a silver in the design explorations category, while a client product the BikeBoard won a bronze in the consumer products category.
More than 200 Davison employees celebrated Halloween uniquely in Inventionland™. It was a party celebrating the year's successes and the upcoming opening of the world's most innovative workspace.
On Nov. 8, Inventionland premiered with a celebration of creativity. Hundreds poured in to explore the space and experience what Inventionmen experience every day.
2005
Once again we need more space to grow and expand. Davison acquires 76,000 square foot facility in 585 Alpha Drive, next door. Davison moves the Design Department into 585 Alpha.
Construction begins on Davison's new design facility: Inventionland™
Davison employees are invited to spend a holiday evening in Inventionland™. It is a halfway point of construction.
2004
Davison continues to license new products in record volume.
2003
Davison completes design work for The BikeBoard and our client John, from California, is granted $100,000 in upfront royalties plus a percentage of net sales.
Mr. Davison meets President George W. Bush.
The Whistle Knife is granted a U.S. Patent.
Mr. Davison takes his entire company to Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum in Detroit, MI to experience the history of inventors like Thomas Edison, John Heinz, George Washington Carver, and many more. It was an inspirational journey.
Davison licenses the Go-Glow.
2001
February 2001 was another developing moment for our company. After several years of operating in different facilities, we united the company into one building by moving into one location at 595 Alpha Drive in one of Pittsburgh's premier research, design, and industrial parks. This 36,000 square foot facility is still home of Davison's corporate, sales, and Administrative headquarters.
1998-2000
Davison Design again expanded its design facility, moving from the Corlin Building to offices on Dark Hollow Road in Verona, Pa.
1997
1996
Davison won a bronze Industrial Design Excellence Award for the design of the Oil Filter Gripper from the Industrial Design Society of America. The award was featured in the July issue of BusinessWeek and the fall issue of Innovation Magazine. Also that year, work began on the Personal Air Freshener for a Florida client, Curtis.
1995
Davison's design division moved from the 8th Street office in Oakmont to the bottom and first floor of the Corlin Building in Indianola, Pa. This move expanded the research and design division, and also made more room for administrative and new product directors back at the 8th Street home.
1993
In 1993, the Oil Filter Gripper began to take shape. Our clients, Myles and Lisa, hired us to research, redesign and develop this product, which was licensed to Flo-Tools.
1992
Two major achievements in Davison's history happened this year: The Cole Yard Marker and the Goggleflauge, CEO Mr. Davison's product, were both licensed. The Goggleflauge was also on its way for manufacturing. Meanwhile, the exclusive process was taking shape.
1989-2001
The 8th Street office in Oakmont was Davison Design's first home from 1989-2001. Many good memories including making molds, working with customers and trying to develop a process that would let the company grow occurred here.
1986-1988
Before Davison Design began, founder Mr. Davison was himself an independent inventor pursuing a dream — the Toothbrush Sanitizer. Unfortunately, that dream never saw the light of day; it was beaten to the market by a major corporation.
Of the products depicted above, The Filter Gripper, The Personal Air Freshener, The Cole Yard Marker, The Swiss Army Whistle Knife, and The BikeBoard were client submitted products. The Cole Yard Marker did not result in a net profit for the client. However, it did lead to particular discoveries that resulted in the finalization of our Exclusive Process®.
