According to the Virtual Reality Society, the first known example of “creating the illusion that we are somewhere we are not” are panoramic paintings. These 360-degree paintings would surround the viewer and “transport” them to a battlefield or other scene. Stereoscopic photo viewers, like the View-Master toy, are closely aligned to modern VR headsets. They were even used for what was called “virtual tourism.”

In 1929, Edward Link created the “Link Trainer,” now considered the first flight simulator. While the technology was primitive by modern standards, the general concept of the Link Trainer is still used to train pilots and astronauts. Alternatively, you may find them at amusement parks or museums simulating everything from rocket launches to roller coasters. Just a few years later, a 1930s science fiction story by Stanley G. Weinbaum predicted what virtual reality would be like.

It wouldn’t be until 1987 that the term “virtual reality” was coined by Jaron Lanier, founder of the Visual Programming Lab. Before this, the popular term was “artificial reality,” termed by Myron Krueger. The nineties would be when VR hit its stride, with dominance in arcades, home consoles, and popular cinema. Anybody else remember The Lawnmower Man? Or the Nintendo Virtual Boy? It was the turning point for VR. The following two decades would see rapid growth in both public and private usage of virtual reality.

This brings us to the present day. We’re all familiar with VR headsets like the Oculus Rift or the HTC Vive, which makes gaming more immersive than ever. But few are considering the more practical uses of virtual reality. Many hospitals and medical schools use VR to teach students how to perform surgeries without putting an actual patient under the knife. Similarly, militaries can use VR to train soldiers or to see what an officer on the field sees to better guide them and other troops. And of course, flight simulators are still being used in conjunction with VR for a multitude of training programs.

As for inventors, the rise of DIY kits for virtual reality is feeding into the rising interest in inventing. Google Cardboard is a notable example, allowing users to build a rig to use their smartphone as a VR headset. In the same vein is Nintendo Labo, an accessory for the Nintendo Switch. By building cardboard cases and tools for the Switch console, users can unlock more immersive ways to play certain games. For example, a steering wheel can be built and used in conjunction with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe to truly simulate kart racing.

Virtual reality is not perfect yet; however, the technology is far more reliable than it ever was before. As refinements are made, more uses will be found. It’s entirely possible that VR will soon become so realistic and lifelike as to blur the line between real life and digital. (Well, perhaps not- we don’t want The Matrix happening outside of the movies, do we?) Each day brings improvements and a new industry to the virtual reality wellspring. Inventing is still only taking a tentative steps, but it won’t be long before it fully takes the plunge.

While the market will continue to grow with virtual reality items it also can add an element of exercise as well. This opens up a technology that is fit for anyone. While we are fairly certain that the inventor of VR designed it so that everyone could use it they sure did make a great product! Why not check and see what kind of inventor you are with our inventor persona quiz! Click here to check it out.

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Sitting in an entrepreneurship class, the young mind of Martin Dimitrov was full of bright ideas for an upcoming project. The project, to come up with a solution to an everyday problem, had left Dimitrov excited, yet not sure about which problem he wanted to tackle.

That all changed when it was time to hit the gym. While working out with his friend, Ryan Caulfield, the two noticed that the spring weight-collars (a device that holds weights securely on bench press bar) were cumbersome to operate didn’t quite work right.

Dimitrov and Caulfield took this problem back to class where they began tinkering with new designs that would help solve their problem. Inspired by slap bracelets, a popular accessory at the time, the two developed a quick and easy design that served a better solution to their problem.

In May 2015, long after the project had been completed, Dimitrov and Caulfield continued to pursue their idea which led to a first-place award in a local invention competition. Having caught the eye of the community, a local resident and co-founder of a program for young entrepreneurs, gave the boys $2,400 to fund further development of their idea.

After a few more designs and a successful Kickstarter campaign which raised $23,000, the young inventors, still in high school, teamed up with a few other students who were passionate about the product.

Some time passes and the group is able to secure a patent and start producing existing orders that were raised by their Kickstarter campaign. The team spent countless hours dealing with the usual research and development any new entrepreneur faces including working with Chinese manufacturers to help perfect the production of their product, SnapClips.

Today, SnapClips are made using military grade Kevlar, and their patented technology helps make swapping weights on a bench press bar quick and easy. SnapClips stay locked in place while lifting, and will not come loose, even if the bar is being repeatedly dropped. Dimitrov, now 19 years old, is on the road to becoming a successful inventor and entrepreneur.

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How many hours per day do you spend staring at a screen? According to a recent report from The Vision Council, 83% of people spend more than two hours a day staring at their phone, computer, or tablet and a whopping 60% of the people surveyed said they feel their screen exposure has contributed to some form of eye strain.

Joe Croft, a graduate of Stanford University and Jennifer Michelsen, a University of Rhode Island graduate, were both aware of this problem. In September 2006, the duo formed Gunnar Optics, which is now the leading provider of glasses specializing in screen-related eye strain solutions.

Back in 2006, the two realized where America was headed with technology and knew that vision problems would only worsen over time as screen time became more predominant in people’s everyday lives.

The two took action and created a pair of glasses that helps combat harmful screen exposure that takes a toll on our vision. While eyestrain and fatigue are experienced over time, there is a significant difference in the impact that blue light can have on a person’s eyes.

Gunnar glasses are designed to combat the harmful light that causes eye strain and Gunnar Optics quickly became one of the leading providers of “computer glasses” which are available all over the world.

Available in numerous styles, Gunnar glasses utilize a special lens technology that helps protect your eyes from bright light, not just from screen time, but even harmful UV rays from the outdoors.

By analyzing a growing trend early on, Gunnar Optics was able to transform into a leading company that makes life safer for those who utilize technology on a daily basis.

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There’s no better way to ring in the sunny spring season than by hosting a backyard barbeque. The smell of perfectly seasoned meat circulating through the air as you crack open a cold one, with the sound of friends and family laughing around you…that’s the life. The only downside of grilling is that it involves precision and upkeep, which can keep you from being able to relax and enjoy yourself. However, as technology develops, there are new inventions that make the grilling experience easier and more streamlined. For those who’d like to ketchup on the latest grilling innovations, let’s meat our top picks.

1.) Grillbot ($125)

This little device is like a Roomba for your grill. Featuring three electric motors which power its wire brushes, this device will scrape the leftover meat chunks off the grill. Just place the Grillbot on your dirty grill, turn it on, and let it get to work.  You don’t even need to stick around because an alarm will sound when the job is done. You can enjoy time with your family, knowing you won’t have to worry about scraping off blackened burger bits once the party’s over.

2.) Looftlighter by Looft Industries ($79)

This handheld wand can ignite charcoal in 60 seconds without using any chemicals. It’s difficult to light charcoal with matches and this is a great alternative to environmentally detrimental lighter fluid. The Looflighter does need to be plugged into an outlet, but it’s equipped with a nine-foot extension cord. It’s simple to use and even comes with a bottle opener.

3.) Refuel by Quirky ($30)

If you’re using propane, nothing stops the party quicker than realizing you’re out of gas. If you’d prefer to avoid this situation, there’s a new device called Refuel. It’s basically an intelligent, app-enabled propane tank scale that allows you to keeps tabs on how much gas you have left in your tank. When you’re running low, you’ll get a smartphone alert, so you’ll know well in advance that you need more gas.

4.) iGrill 2 ($99) by Weber

One of the more difficult parts of grilling is knowing when the meat is done. You get the best result when you’re measuring the meat for temperature, but this keeps you locked to the grill and unable to relax and enjoy the social aspects of the party. The iGrill 2 is a smart thermometer which uses wired probes to measure the temperature of your meat while it’s cooking. It connects to an app on iOS which will let you know when the desired temperature has been reached. This way you can enjoy the party and monitor your meat mobily.

5.) SmartGrill by Lynx ($6,999-$9,499)

If you’re looking to shell out some big money on a new high-end grill, the SmartGrill by Lynx is the latest in grill technology. Just like we can talk to our phones, computers and cars–we now have the capability of using voice commands on our grill. This grill has several top-of-the-line features including Wi-Fi capability, remote monitoring, app-based ignition/control and on-device alerts to flip or remove meat.

The app that accompanies the grill also includes a My Chef feature which allows you to create your own recipes and specify the temperature, duration, and when to flip the meat. This way your meat is being cooked exactly how you like it, every time. There’s also a Recipe section of the app which includes hundreds of recipes and, once selected, the app will walk you through each recipe step by step. For fans of the social media experience, there’s a community portion of the app where other users of the grill share their recipes so you can try something new.

Honorable Mention: Unique Grill Tool by Jokari ($33.49)

Grilling requires a lot of different tools and big grilling kits can be expensive. In the past, we’ve seen multi-function tools like a pocket knife with several retractable functions. Jokari took that idea and created a tool just like this, but for grilling. It has retractable tongs, a spatula, a knife edge, a bottle opener, a scraper slot, and an LED flashlight to make grilling at night much easier.

While grilling will always be a great way to get together with friends and enjoy the fresh warm weather, keeping up with the latest innovations will make the job easier and give you more time to kick back and have fun. Here’s hoping your hunger for the latest in grilling tech has been fed.

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Growing up, we all had ideas for inventions that we thought could change the world. As a child, Lonnie Johnson was told that he shouldn’t aspire to be anything more than a technician. But that didn’t stop the young inventor from dreaming big.

Given the nickname “The Professor,” Johnson was constantly tinkering with projects in his free time. At the age of 13, he built a go-kart out of a lawnmower and some scrap metal. He even tried to create rocket fuel in his kitchen, nearly burning his parents’ house down in the process.

Johnson always dreamed of being a famous inventor, and he certainly wasn’t going to let a few negative comments stop him from chasing his dream. While in high school he participated in his school’s science fair. Johnson created compressed air robot called “the Linex” which won first prize.

To everyone’s surprise, Johnson achieved a full scholarship to Tuskegee University where he pursued a master’s degree in nuclear engineering.

It wasn’t until 1979 that Johnson had landed a job working for NASA’s Jet Prolusion Laboratory. Despite his busy career, Johnson continued to pursue his inventions in his spare time. His most prized project was an environmentally friendly heat pump that would use water instead of Freon.

After completing his initial prototype one night in 1982, Johnson decided to test it out in his bathroom. Aiming the pump into the bathtub, he pulled the lever and blasted a powerful water stream straight into the tub. Johnson thought to himself “Geez, if I were to develop a new type of water gun, that was a performance water gun, it could really do well.”

Already working a full-time job, Johnson had no time to pursue his new idea himself and he began reaching out to manufacturers for help. To his surprise, some companies weren’t interested and the ones that were, asked $200,000 from him to build the first thousand water guns.

Not having that type of money at the time, Johnson was devastated. Still not quite yet ready to give up, he headed to a Toy Fair in New York with a suitcase full of prototypes where he met the team at Larami.

Larami, a popular toy manufacturer at the time, was sold on this new type of water gun. From there Johnson went on to close a deal with Hasbro as well. Since then, The Super Soaker has sold millions.

It wasn’t until 1989 that Johnson finally made money off of his idea. Seven years of tinkering, tireless sales pitches, and even quitting his job to pursue his idea had finally paid off. By 1991 the Super Soaker had topped $200 million in sales and ranked among the world’s Top 20 Selling Best Toys.

Overcoming all odds, Johnsons drive as an inventor had led way to a monumental success.

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The Air-Tech Air Vest is a revolutionary product that’s helping save the lives of many motorcycle riders. Being on a motorcycle offers little protection if you are in an accident. A majority of the time, it’s the motorcycle rider who leaves the scene in an ambulance, even if the accident isn’t their fault.

Surprisingly, this life-saving product has been around for quite some time. Invented back in 1977 by Hungarian inventor Tamas Straub, the Air Vest offers a safer solution in the case of an accident. Straub’s design hasn’t changed much over the past 40 years, a double layer jacket with a built-in air chamber that inflates upon impact thanks to a tether connects the vest to the motorcycle.

It was originally designed to protect motorcycle riders, skiers, and horseback riders in the case of a fall.

Fast-forward 40 years: today, one company is bringing innovation to this product. Alpine Stars, an American company specializing in personal protection equipment, has created a vest that knows when you are about to experience trauma, causing it to inflate.

Using three electronic sensors, the vest can monitor your location using GPS communications technology. Lithium-ion batteries allow the jacket to be constantly charged, ready to inflate at any time. Finally, special argon gas cartridges line the inside of the jacket, one main one and also a backup in case the primary cartridge fails to go off.

The Air Vest has saved countless lives since its invention back in 1977, and thanks to new advancements in technology it will continue to protect both avid and recreational motorcyclists alike.

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A new wheelchair could be hitting the market this year thanks to one group of persistent grad students from Sweden. The Scewo chair uses specialized rubber tracks to grip on to stairs, allowing for the chair to maintain stability, even on spiral staircases. Its large wheels allow the chair to maneuver many obstacles, while still being able to fit through doorways and turn on a dime.

The students began this life-changing project as they were finishing their bachelor degrees. After having built a successful prototype for a class project, they realized they were on to something. Their class has since ended; however, five of the students believed in this new product so much so that they began working on it in their free time.

Two of the five group members who continued to embark on this project are paraplegic and act as test drivers, giving feedback during production.

This new chair features both wheels and tracks, allowing it to traverse numerous types of terrain. The chair even has a special lift feature, allowing the user to increase their height to grab objects out of reach or simply make eye-contact during a conversation.

The group has gone through countless amounts of sketches, spent days of coding software, created 3D models, and crafted physical components, all of which have contributed to the final design.

Now in their final phase of testing, the group is gathering feedback so that they can meet even more needs of those who are physically disabled. Once this phase of the project is complete, the group plans on pitching the chair to companies in hopes of having it mass-produced by the end of 2018.

The need for life-changing products will always be here. With the proper determination, drive, and will to succeed, anything is possible.

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The sport of downhill skiing hasn’t changed much since it was first invented in 1840. Two poles and two skis seem to do the trick, and once you learn, avid skiers claim it’s just like riding a bicycle.

SNOGO, wanting to change the traditional method of speeding down the mountain, invented the SNOGO Ski Bike.

The concept of a ski bike isn’t new by any means; there have been many companies that have attempted to build a bike which would add a fun spin on the sport. The team at SNOGO looked at these pre-existing bikes and realized that none of them took into consideration comfort or functionality for the rider.

With a new concept in mind, the team hit the ground running and came up with a new style that would address the issues current bikes on the market were lacking. Developing what they call SLAT (Synchronized Lateral Articulating Technology) the SNOGO designers invented a three-ski model of their bike that would make for a smoother, more stable ride and allow the rider to feel a better sense of control while hitting faster speeds.

The SNOGO team didn’t invent a totally new concept, but they did invent something that would make a product better. At Davison, we call this Inventegration – the process of adding innovations to a product while the concept still remains the same.

A new invention doesn’t have to be something entirely new; it can just add a unique, new and exciting spin to a preexisting design.

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California start-up, Knightscope Inc., is revolutionizing the security industry. If you haven’t seen their latest invention already, you will soon.

The K5 is one of Knightscope’s more popular robots. Standing six feet tall and weighing 400 pounds, this is one security guard you won’t be able to sneak by. Patrolling parking garages, hallways, sports stadiums and shopping malls, the K5 is on the prowl for suspicious activity.

The state of the art technology which controls K5 allows the robot to scan people for concealed weapons or metal objects. Because some areas are just too dangerous to patrol for security guards, Knightscope’s robots have been used under dangerous bridges, in crime-ridden parking lots, and even homeless encampments.

The K5 is equipped with infrared cameras, capable of reading license plates and onboard wireless that is able to identify types of smartphones and even IP addresses. Knightscope can program the robot to blacklist certain individuals and will notify the company if the robots facial recognition software detects a certain person or automobile.

Current big-name clients include Microsoft, the Sacramento Kings, and NBC Universal, but the company projects to close deals with numerous other big name brands soon.

These autonomous security robots come in two models, one for outdoor use and one for indoor use; both serving the same function. Knightscope leases the K5 for about $7 per hour, less than what many companies currently pay human security guards.

Knightscope has brought innovation to an industry that nobody would have thought to touch. New product ideas are everywhere if you just use your imagination.

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Place yourself in the seat of a big-rig driver. You’re driving down a long stretch of road one rainy evening when suddenly you see a car barreling into your lane. You do everything in your power to avoid the accident, without swerving into the busy oncoming lane. Your reaction time is critical, every second counts.

Unfortunately, this is a reality that many truck drivers face when they’re on the road.

Last year, there were a staggering 3,582 tractor-trailer related fatalities. In most of these cases, it was the drivers of the smaller vehicles who lost their lives.

Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, far too quickly for humans to properly react to the situation. Which leaves one question that the team at Uber Technologies is trying to figure out; could a computer-driven big-rig react faster?

That’s correct. The company working feverously to bring us autonomous cars is also experimenting with self-driving tractor trailers.

The economic rationale for autonomous trucks is all too real. Imagine the efficiency of driverless tractor trailers delivering freight across the country. No pit stops, no driver fatigue, and a decrease in human error. Trucks could deliver cargo in record time, helping to grow the logistics industry, not to mention the potential for added safety on the already overcrowded highways of America. The reaction time of a computer when detecting a potential safety risk is unparalleled.

Last summer, Uber partnered with Otto, a company which specializes in autonomous vehicles, to begin testing their technology. City-to-city test trips have already begun.

Without this new technology on the market, economic breakthroughs and added safety standards would not be possible. Innovation is constantly happening around us, it’s what our society is built on.

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