We found out exactly what that looked like last Friday, April 4th, when Inventionland hosted the 2014 WQED Design Lives Here Invention Convention!

Students in grade sixth through eighth from Franklin Regional Middle School, Seneca Valley School District’s Haine Middle School and Bethel Park School District’s Independence Middle School unleashed their creative sides during the day-long inventing extravaganza.

As usual, this year’s Invention Convention helped to support STEM education, or the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The day included a few inventing challenges, but highlighted one in particular, where students teamed up to pitch new invention ideas to our very own team of Inventionland Creationeers.

Here’s just a peek at this year’s WQED Invention Convention:

Copyright Davison 2014

The post Students Pack Inventionland for 2014 WQED Invention Convention! appeared first on Davison.

This year, organizers plan to welcome over 220 students, teachers, mentors and special guests from three area schools to Inventionland for a day full of everything-inventing! Students from Franklin Regional Middle School, Seneca Valley School District’s Haine Middle School and Bethel Park School District’s Independence Middle School will unlock their creativity inside Inventionland at the Invention Convention.

Tomorrow’s event begins at 9 a.m. and lasts until 2 p.m. Similar to both of last year’s successful Invention Conventions, students in grades 6-8, who have been learning about the engineering design process, will compete in various inventing challenges.

This year, the inventing challenges include:

The Zip Line – where students design and build something that can carry a ping pong ball from the top of a zip line string to the bottom in four seconds or less.

The Invention Challenge– where students present an invention idea that they have been working on prior to coming to the Invention Convention. Tomorrow, students will pitch their invention ideas to our very own team of Inventionland Creationeers!

The Design Lives Here Invention Convention is based on the PBS show Design Squad Nation and is designed to inspire the inventors and engineers of tomorrow.

What better place to inspire young creators than our very own design facility and the largest invention factory in America, Inventionland?

We can’t wait to see and share what these aspiring inventors come up with!

Copyright Davison 2014

The post WQED’s Invention Convention Kicks Off Tomorrow at Inventionland! appeared first on Davison.

Sometimes they are simply checking on their new product idea, asking questions or dropping a line to give us a nice pat on the back. And what a pat on the back this letter from Diane DiRaimo, the inventor of the Hydro Bone, gave Mr. Davison, Dan Simbeck, the Licensing team, the Creationeers and all other Davison designers!

Check out the letter below for the whole story:

Congratulations to Diane and everyone at Davison!  The innovative Hydro line has become a hit on store shelves across the U.S. and beyond!

A typical project does not get a royalty agreement, sell in stores or generate a profit.

The post Inventor of Hydro Bone Praises Davison in Letter appeared first on Davison.

Among a total of nearly 900 exhibitors, the National Show for Pet Retailers showcased our licensing partner, Hugs Pet Products, who was happy to show off several Davison designs.

According to our representatives, Hugs debuted their 2013 catalog at the show, along with retailer-favorite Davison designs, like the Hydro Toys and the adorable Pugz collection of apparel and accessories.

“We had interest from everywhere! We saw major retailers and industry spokespeople like Wendy Diamond and Charlotte Reed. Plus, we met with magazine reps from Dog Fancy and Modern Dog,” said Vossler, who also told us that Hugs’ social media presence helped them connect with an even larger audience.

“Social media played a major part in gaining visitors to the booth. We were able to interact with other attendees and spark interest in our booth and products.”

One of those wildly-popular products was Hugs’ new Davison-designed Jaws collection, a dynamic chew toy line with soft rubber tines that massage gums and remove plaque, plus an edible treat to keep dogs satisfied for hours. Vossler said SuperZoo attendees really bit on to that line and more!

“Everyone loved the new products, especially the Pugz and Jaws lines,” said Vossler.

While it sounds like it may have been all work and no play for our team while they were in Vegas, we’ve got proof that there was some time for rubbing elbows with a reality-TV star.

They were able to meet Holly Madison from “The Girls Next Door,” who is also pawing into the pet product industry with her new company, Lucky Pet Products.

See what else our team was up to by checking out the rest of our SuperZoo photos below and stay tuned for more exciting updates as our Licensing team travels the nation to get more Davison-designed products on store shelves!

The post Pet Retailers Go Wild for Davison Designs at Vegas SuperZoo appeared first on Davison.

“I received an interesting line of dog toys from a Missouri-based company called Hugs Pet Products: the Hydro line.

The line consists of five differently shaped rubber toys: Hydro Bone, Hydro Ball, Hydro Saucer, Hydro Ring and Hydro Fetch. Not only do these provide pooches with hours of chewing, fetching and general enjoyment, these also hydrate dogs as they play.”

These dog toys invented by dog parent and Davison client, Diane DiRaimo, contain a unique sponge/foam core that, when soaked in water, absorb the water via small holes; the water is gradually released when a dog chews on the toy. The dogs get hydrated, without the water dripping onto a floor, car seat or other surface. These toys can also be frozen.

The toys received a favorable review from pet products pundit Dr. Marty Becker on “Good Morning America,” and were showcased in the lifestyle magazine Real Simple and were accorded an Editor’s Choice Award from Dog Fancy magazine.

These are just some of the innovative pet products available from this company, a family business that was founded in 2009 by pet lovers Katie and Chad Brewer as a division of their existing business, Maze Innovations, Inc.

The Brewers are parents to a virtual zoo consisting of several dogs, cats, goats and sheep. Oh, and they have three human kids.

Hugs Pet Products prides itself on designing, manufacturing and distributing quality and innovative pet products worldwide for dogs, cats and birds.”

Hugs on the cutting edge of dog design

The Dog Milk blog strives to bring you the most cutting edge and modern design for your very best friend. Recently, the Dog Milk blogger wrote:

“I love the story behind Hugs Pet Products‘ name: owners Katie and Chad Brewer wanted to celebrate the boundless love and lifetime of excited greetings (and puppy hugs) they received from their pets by giving back in the form of innovative pet products. Katie and Chad believe that “at the heart of every hug is love,” which is how they approach the design and manufacturing of their modern pet gear!

Their passion for pets shows in their original product designs (which they also manufacture and distribute). I mean, hello, how awesome is that apple-shaped, tooth-scrubbing chew toy?

We couldn’t resist rounding up a few of our favorite Hugs products, of course! 1: Potty Paws 2: Chew Core 3: Hydro Bone 4: Tee Bone 5: Better Tether 6: Silicone Dog Treat Pan 7: Gel Pet Mat“

It’s great to see extremely positive feedback across the ever-changing spectrum of pet product writers – from bloggers to veteran journalists. All of this Hugs success sets our tails wagging.

A typical project does not get a royalty agreement, sell in stores or generate a profit.

The post Davison Products Continue to Wow Journalists and Bloggers Alike appeared first on Davison.

Late last year, we burst onto the social media scene with the launch of our Facebook and Twitter pages.  This year, we’re expanding our social media presence from “likes” and “tweets” to include ”pins” and “circles!” We’re excited to announce the recent launch of Davison Pinterest and Google+ pages!

And, we’ve got to say, if you haven’t caught on to the Pinterest craze just yet, you definitely will now!

The online pinboard allows users to share images of all of the things they love!  Since everything we do (i.e. drawing, designing, engineering, creating prototypes) is so visual, Pinterest is the perfect place to show it all off!

Some of our current boards include “Inventionland,” where we can share more of our creative design facility, “Davison Products,” where we’re able to show Davison-designed products in action and on store shelves and “Inventors Never Quit,” where we’re able to keep inspiring and motivating prospective inventors to pursue their ideas!

Check out Davison’s new Pinterest page here!

Once you’ve pinned all of your favorite things (be careful, it’s addicting!), visit our new Google+ page!

As if Google didn’t already have everything you could think of and more, they now have social media, too!   And, Google+ allows you to do… well… everything!

We’re especially excited because Google+ will allow us to connect and chat with other inventors, plus share information and photos with friends and clients!

Plus, unlike any other social media forum, the ”Circle” function on Google+ allows you to group your followers together, so we can tailor what we share (i.e. our licensing partners may not have the same interests that our fellow inventors do)!

Check out the new Davison Google+ page here!

Whether you “like it,” “retweet it,” “pin it” or “+1 it,” make sure to share all the great news about Davison on social media!

The post Davison is Getting Pinteresting… Plus! appeared first on Davison.

The 2012 Fall Pugz line is now in stores!

But even more exciting than having Pugz boots in one Petco and Pugz leg warmers in another Petco across town, the entire fall line is prominently displayed on endcaps.

Showcasing leashes, beds, coats, leg warmers, harnesses, boots — all featuring Pugz’s signature faux suede and fleece combination – the visual appeal of these endcaps creates a gravitational pull on Petco customers shopping anywhere near this K-9 couture.

CEO and founder of Davison, George Davison, calls the Petco Pugz endcaps a defining moment in company history and compares the excitement of seeing all of these Pugz products in one space to the excitement of “stepping to the plate and hitting a grand slam.”

“When you allow yourself to dream, you are opening yourself up for a lot of pain if stuff doesn’t work out, which I’m used to. Because of the continual effort at absorbing risks and overcoming challenges this is what can happen if you believe. If you don’t believe and have enough character, the dreams aren’t possible,” says Davison.

The 2012 Fall Pugz line, which is now in Petco and will be in Bed, Bath & Beyond on September 20th, delivers cozy comfort for every pup.

Walk with warmth

Smaller dogs get cold faster in low temperatures, but that’s no reason to abandon those long walks you and your pup enjoy. Instead, protect him or her from the elements with Pugz Boots. These adorably designed, faux leather and faux wool shoes provide comfort and keep your pet’s paws dry in any weather!  Plus, their breathable, cushioned fabric sole eliminates nasty claw scratches from hardwood floors. With an adjustable hook and loop strap, Pugz are a secure fit for every pooch!

Little paws aren’t the only appendages to keep the chill out during the fall and winter. Your dog will appreciate some leg protection, too. Pugz Leg Warmers keep your dog’s legs warm and protected with their lightweight faux suede and fleece. Perfect for pups of all sizes, these leg warmers include hook and loop straps and elastic nylon to ensure a secure fit.

Walk with confidence

Excited dogs and young pups often pull during their walks. This not only creates uncomfortable exercise for you, but can injure your dogs neck if you’re only using a collar. Get back control and enjoy those walks again with the Pugz Harness.

The Pugz Harness is a comfortable and stylish solution for reducing the stress and strain on both dogs and owners during walks. Made with breathable and lightweight faux suede and fleece, this harness is adjustable for a custom fit on your dog or growing puppy.

Add the Pugz Leash for 6 feet of stylish safety. The ultra-soft, fleece-lined generously sized handle keeps your hand cozy and comfortable, while the durable nylon leash allows you to securely walk your pet with confidence. The sturdy chrome hardware conveniently attaches to your favorite collar.

Now Sleep!

Walk nap, walk nap. That’s your best friend’s daily agenda. Optimize their comfort after those warming walks with the Pugz Air Puff Bed, which supports the limbs of older or injured pets, but is perfect for dogs without health problems as well. An adjustable frame and soft faux wool provide a warm and cozy place for any pet to relax. The removable cover is easy to wash and keep clean. For use at home, in the car or on a trip, the Pugz Air Puff Bed is easy to transport.

Twenty-twelve also features the Pugz Box Bed (see below on endcap), which allows your pet to nuzzle into cozy comfort. The ultra-durable, luxuriously cushioned base and sides invite your pet to snuggle up, get comfortable and relax.  The bed is also lightweight, portable and can be machine washed!

Davison attributes the success of Pugz and other Davison products to the Davison methodology, which George Davison has been crafting for over 20 years. “We have to have really good soils to grow our seeds. This is the combination of Inventionland and our [inventing] methodology to have not only one, but all of those [products] hit the shelf.”

Congratulations to Pugz, Hugs and Davison for all the hard work put into a great line of pup products. When dogs are dressed to the nines in their new Pugz boots and legwarmers, warm and comfortable tails are sure to be wagging outside of Petco stores this fall and winter!

(From Hugs Pet Products’ Facebook Page)

Diane: “Barney jumped right in as [we were] strolling through Petco today! Sold! ”

A typical project does not get a royalty agreement, sell in stores or generate a profit.

The post Pugz™ Soft Suedes and Fall Fleeces Cloak Petco in Eye-catching Endcaps appeared first on Davison.

This time, they’ve recruited the help of some of our very talented and always inventive Creationeers.  Judging from the photo (Jason Rogge with another Creationeer asleep in the car), our creative team has been working so hard that they’ve been having a hard time keeping up… or staying up!

We checked in with Davison’s Vice President of Business Development and Licensing to see what kind of pet product news we could dig up!

“We have lots going on,” said our VP, with the same sly grin he gives when he’s about to tempt us with big news.  “I am going to Bed Bath & Beyond this week… and PetSmart next week with Hugs Pet Products to discuss the Toys R Us pet line we are working on with them.”

While he didn’t divulge any more top secret information, we’ll be eagerly waiting to share the latest product news, just as soon as we hear it!

What we can share is the MASSIVE list of places where our team will be “trying longer” to get Davison-designed pet products on store shelves this fall!

In August alone, our team will be meeting with Walgreens in Chicago and Bed Bath & Beyond in New York, not to mention attending the C & S Fall Show, West Plains Vet Show and the MidStates Fall Show.

September brings more meetings and more trade show exposure.  First up is product review at Menards in Wisconsin; then, it’s off to the Siemer Enterprises Fall Show in Illinois, and back to Wisconsin for the Prince Distributors Fall Show.  Finally, it’s all the way to Las Vegas for the SuperZoo Show!

Product reviews and trade shows continue in October, when our team revisits Menards in Wisconsin and attends the H.H. Backer Christmas Show and Non-Foods Marketing Show in Chicago and Atlanta, respectively.

A Hugs Pet Products representative also spilled the beans on some upcoming Hugs products that you may see on the stores shelves at Bed Bath & Beyond and Petco this fall.

“Coming soon… Pugz apparel line [which includes] harnesses, coats, leg warmers and throws!” he said, also adding that the company is working on a line of cat toys, too!

With all of this awesome news from the road, we think our licensing partner summed it up best for us.

“As you can see, we are very busy doing everything we can to get in front of customers and prospects,” he said.

Stay tuned for more pet product updates and other exciting licensing news as our team hits the road to deliver Davison-designed success!

A typical project does not get a royalty agreement, sell in stores or generate a profit. While Davison regularly visits retailers and attends trade shows in a number of industries, it does not promise that any particular client product will be, or is likely to be, presented or discussed with a retailer or at a trade show.

The post Licensing Team’s Fall Travel Equals Pet Product Placement and… Quick Catnaps! appeared first on Davison.

Diane writes:

Hope all is well with you!!! Every now and then, I visit Davison’s website to see all the new products. [I] just viewed many of the Dare to Invent videos of the many products and the individuals connected to them. They are fun to watch and quite amusing. It was even more fun when I stumbled across the Hydro Bone. Davison has a very impressive staff of creativity!!! To stop and think about all of the ingredients combined into that one bowl to become a mix of energies is so grand. Congrats to Mr. Davison, you and the team!!! Wow!!!

The Hydro Bone, which hydrates pooches in play, has been celebrated by Petside.com’s (an NBC company) Charlotte Reed, who praised the Hydro Bone for, “Combining fun and chewing-refreshment.” And called it “ …the ultimate hydrating chew toy for your pet.” The Hydro Bone also won A 2010 Dog Fancy Magazine Editors’ Choice Award.

Congratulations to the entire Davison team and Diane for forging a great relationship that helps create fantastic pet products that consumers and parched pooches all love!

The post Inventor of Hydro Bone Praises Cast of ‘Dare to Invent’ appeared first on Davison.

Our client, Diana, was a small town girl turned southern supermom and now… she’s an inventor!

Over a decade ago, while the divorced Georgia mother of two teenage boys was working for a Honda factory, she was also hard at work at home trying to devise a way to keep her miniature dachshund, Ripley, warm or cool and safe, all at once!

In 2002, Diana came up with an idea that she thought just might work for Ripley. Believe it or not, after only a few months, she decided to pursue her idea with Davison.

“Once I came up with [my] idea, I started looking for a way to get it to the right manufacturers… I did not look for help from any other companies,” said Diana.

According to Diana, the Davison team was always ready to help her take the next step with her pet invention idea.

“Davison seemed eager to help.  I had many questions and received the answers quickly.  I was given the opportunity to check around and investigate online,” said Diana.  “At first, I was unsure on what had to be done, but Davison [was] really helpful.”

Diana said that moving and some other personal distractions prevented her from quickly pursuing her invention idea, but she knew that it was meant to be.

“I knew when the time was right, it would move forward and it did.  After that, the project took about a year,” said Diana.

Working with Diana, Davison designed the Gel Pet Mat. The lightweight, portable mat provides four-legged friends a soft, cool surface to lie on, indoors or outside, and is even great for older pets that may suffer joint pain.

The Gel Pet Mat was licensed by Hugs Pet Products and has sold at Petco and several other major retailers.

Since Diana’s Gel Pet Mat has reached store shelves, she’s decided to expand her family.

“We have since added three more minis:  Eddie, Peanut and Gilbert,” said Diana.

We’re sure they all enjoy their loving owner’s invention!

Of her inventing experience, Diana said she is happy she had help and she would suggest other inventors do the same!

“Even if you are improving on something already on the market, follow up with someone like Davison.  Every invention started the same way, an idea.  Let the experts help!” said Diana.

Congratulations to everyone who’s helped to make Diana’s Gel Pet Mat such a “cool” success!

A typical project does not get a royalty agreement, sell in stores or generate a profit.

The post Meet Diana, Inventor of the Gel Pet Mat appeared first on Davison.