Our History

The story of how Davison got started.

Developing a new invention idea can be a puzzling experience. And our founder, Mr. Davison, learned this firsthand, the hard way...

Like most inventors, he had a number of innovative new product ideas. He actually began to develop one of them many years ago to solve the problem of germs that would spread from toothbrushes and cause sickness in his family. After spending significant time and capital trying to bring his idea to life, a major corporation beat him to the market with the same idea. He lost out because he had no experience at the time in new product development, and the corporation that beat him to the market did.

While working on his idea, he consulted with a number of independent patent attorneys, marketing firms, industrial design and prototype firms. Each one helped to develop various segments of his idea. But they all worked independently in their own limited areas of expertise - not as a unified team working toward the common goal in product development.

A Better Process to Develop a New Invention Idea

It became obvious to Mr. Davison that an inexperienced inventor was at a serious disadvantage in competing with corporate America. It was also clear that inventors like himself needed a company to assist them in all the areas necessary to transform an idea into a presentable product. So, in 1989, he created Davison, a place where new invention ideas can come to life. Davison's company was constructed in a way that lets inventors rely on a team of people working together to develop new products. Davison projects have access to product designers, researchers, mechanical and electrical engineers, machinists, prototype makers, package designers, video producers, licensing attorneys and personnel. The only place where you can get everything you need under one roof.

20 Years of New Invention Development - A History Timeline

	In 2009, Davison celebrates its 20th year in business! The anniversary marks an important milestone in the growing company's history.	2009
	"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 Wal-Mart. 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.	2008
	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."	2007
	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.	2006
	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.	2005
	Davison continues to license new products in record volume. Davison social events.	2004
	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. George M. Davison meets President George W. Bush. The Whistle Knife is granted a U.S. Patent. George M. 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. The company pauses for an evening to celebrate the holiday season.	2003
	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.	2001
	Davison Design again expanded its design facility, moving from the Corlin Building to offices on Dark Hollow Road in Verona, Pa.	1998-2000
®	After several years of refining the process, Davison Design was granted a trademark for our Exclusive Process® on May 13, 1997. Davison's first big legal challenge.	1997
	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.	1996
	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.	1995
	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.	1993
	Two major achievements in Davison's history happened this year: The Cole Yard Marker and the Goggleflauge, CEO George M. Davison's product, were both licensed. The Goggleflauge was also on its way for manufacturing. Meanwhile, the exclusive process was taking shape.	1992
	The 8th Street office in Oakmont was Davison Design's first home from 1989-2001. Many good memories making molds, working with customers and trying to develop a process that would let the company grow occurred here.	1989-2001
	Before Davison Design began, founder George M. 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.	1986-1988

Of the products depicted above, The Filter Gripper, The Personal Air freshner, 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®.