Our History
The story of how Davison got started.
In 1986, Mr. Davison, like many Idea People, had several ideas for new products. One was to prevent toothbrush germs from spreading and getting everyone in his family sick. After spending over two years and exhausting a significant sum of money trying to bring his idea to life, a major corporation beat him to the market with the same idea.
He was beaten to the market by that corporation because they had a method for building new products quickly and a way to get them to the market. It was at that moment that he decided to create a company for Idea People like himself who were in need of a method like the one major corporations use to produce ideas.
He dreamed of creating a new method that would benefit future generations of Idea People. It took years and years of experimentation to figure out the best method to build ideas into samples affordably. He had failures and successes that taught him how to do things. Eventually, he found a method that worked.
It took our founder over 20 years to build his idea for this new method into a reality. Then, Entrepreneur Magazine called him a "Creative Genius," and the rest is history.
20 Years of New Invention Development - A History Timeline
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®.
