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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Creativity – the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work.

Persistence – firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.

By tapping into our inner creativity, we enable ourselves to brainstorm and think of original ideas. Is there a problem you’ve wanted to solve? Can you think of a better way to do something? Once we channel our inner creativity and think of an idea, it then comes down to persistence. Will you give up easily or decide it’s okay to fail your way forward? Do you believe enough in yourself and your idea to keep going?

The lesson is to keep believing in yourself and your idea! We know it’s possible to turn ideas into reality and create “a better way” for two reasons. Our professional team at Davison works with real idea people every day to help move their invention ideas forward. Also, simply take a look back throughout the years to remember the many great inventors and innovators who’ve done it before us. Use their powerful words to motivate the inventor and innovator within yourself.

“Nearly every man who develops an idea works it up to the point where it looks impossible, and then he gets discouraged. That’s not the place to become discouraged.”

– Thomas Edison

“I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success.”

– Nikola Tesla

“The only true test of values, either of men or of things, is that of their ability to make the world a better place in which to live.”

– Henry Ford

“Energy and persistence conquer all things.” 

– Benjamin Franklin

Have these Thursday thoughts inspired the inventor within you? Confidentially submit your idea today.

Copyright Davison, 2017

Images:

http://www.biography.com/people/thomas-edison-9284349

http://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/almanac/hall_of_fame/henry_ford

http://www.philanthropyroundtable.org/almanac/hall_of_fame/benjamin_franklin

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It’s when we open our eyes and open our minds to the nature of improvement that innovation ignites.

For over 27 years, so many people have reached out to our professional team at Davison because they believed in their ideas. They are idea people. They are innovators. They are inventors.

These clients believed that they had found “a better way.” While some confidentially submitted ideas for completely new inventions, others submitted ideas for innovations that would improve a current way something is done. They were able to tune into their power of observation and open their minds to the possibility of improvement. In either case, these client stories are not unlike the story of our founder, Mr. George Davison. While they may have tried and failed and then tried again and failed again, it’s all a part of failing your way forward.

As we keep going after our ideas, new observations are realized. We learn to understand why it didn’t work the first time, the second time, the third time. However many times it takes is what’s necessary to make movement and progress. Just take it from one of Mr. Davison’s inspirational thought leaders:

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas A. Edison

The lesson is to keep curious, keep observing and continue on the path to innovation. If you have an idea and want help on your invention journey, contact us today.

Copyright Davison, 2016

Media:

http://inventors.about.com/od/famousinventors/fl/Failed-Inventions-of-Thomas-Alva-Edison.htm

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“Fail your way forward.” This may be some of the greatest advice Davison founder and CEO Mr. George Davison has for any inventor. This advice is something he has learned and followed himself during his almost thirty years of inventing.

Flash back to 1987. “In 1987, I could only dream to be in dialogue with the manufacturer and the retailer all at the same time!” said Mr. Davison, who was determined to do just that – fail his way forward, develop a better way to invent, and establish the right relationships to get products to store shelves.

Fast forward to present day when just last week, Mr. Davison joined our friends from Inventionland and Jokari/US, Inc. at The Container Store’s new Pittsburgh location for an exclusive, invite-only preview party held before the actual grand opening of the store!

“There I was with Jokari and buyers from The Container Store, walking the floor!” said Mr. Davison realizing this unique opportunity that only presents itself after building years of industry relationships.

It’s these industry relationships and insider knowledge that bring value to the services provided by Davison to clients every day so that – just like Mr. Davison – our clients, too, have a better chance at finding success on their inventing journeys.

At The Container Store preview, there was much excitement after seeing client Jennifer’s Hanger Pockets on store shelves in The Container Store’s own private label packaging!

It’s another solid story of success for client Jennifer who, you may recall, earlier this year had her invention packaged under Jokari’s Paula Deen Everyday Collection!

Here’s to great inventors having their dreams come true at The Container Store!

Copyright Davison, 2016

The typical project is not licensed, sold in stores or profitable.

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Every day, we are faced with a multitude of decisions. From the simplest, like what shoes you’ll wear that day, to the more difficult decisions, like deciding if today is the day that you’ll take the steps to chase after your dreams. As the clock ticks on, we are constantly uncovering answers to questions.

Deciding if you want to pursue your dreams isn’t an easy decision to make. There are a myriad of emotions that come rushing through, like uncertainty and anxiousness in not knowing what to expect when making this type of decision.

Though this can seem overwhelming and perhaps make you hesitant to take a chance, one thing that may be more plaguing is the feeling of regret – the regret of not knowing whether or not you could have succeeded.

Though failure could be the outcome, we’ve been taught time and time again that failure is a learning experience and our very own founder and CEO George Davison can attest to the notion of failing your way forward.

So, when idea people make the decision to pursue their dreams and choose Davison to join them on their journey, it’s always motivating to receive their feedback once they’ve reviewed their Pre-Development Portfolios.

We value client feedback because it gives a well-rounded understanding of how we can improve our inventing method in order to help idea people everywhere potentially make their dreams a reality.

Here are just a few examples of the recent feedback we’ve received from our clients:

“I was blown out of the water by it.” – Tommie T.

“Truly amazed at all the research and how well thought out the Portfolio is…Thank you.” – Zina S.

“I would not know how to move forward without it.” – Daisy P.

“It was easy to understand and answered my questions on the process.” – Michael P.

If you’re ready to make your inventing dream a reality, submit your invention idea today!

Copyright Davison, 2016

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You have a goal in mind. You dream about it. It’s a nagging thought. It’s always on the top of your mind. It’s a constant; but, can it become a reality?

We all have dreams and aspirations; however, it takes desire to turn them into reality.

As the popular saying from Eric Thomas goes, “When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful.”

In the invention industry, desire is what sparks the fire; it’s what helps a person persevere despite the ups and the downs of the process. Desire keeps an idea person excited and willing to proceed with their dream, urging them to  do what it takes to make it a reality.

Desire is fueled by your why. Everyone’s why is different and that’s what makes it unique. What fuels your desire to relentlessly chase after your dreams? What’s the driving force behind why you want this product to succeed?

For our CEO and founder, George Davison, his why was fueled by failure and his story of passion and desire has become a great example of how to fail forward.

For some, failure is the end of the road. For others, like George Davison, it was a chance to find an alternative path.

“Nothing happens without establishing a deep desire inside of you. Your first quest should be to understand yourself and what you desire to accomplish,” said Mr. Davison. ”

Desire is in the driver’s seat of the invention journey, but before the gas can be applied, you have to determine which map you’ll follow, how you’ll handle roadblocks and how you’ll navigate the unbeaten path.

“Desire… it is the single most important step if you choose to be an innovator, inventor or entrepreneur,” said Mr. Davison.

Will your desire burn strong and bright enough for you to submit your invention idea, today?

Copyright Davison, 2016

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May is National Inventors Month! This month-long celebration promotes the inventors whose ideas have served as real contributions in the world.

When you think about inventors, names like George Washington Carver, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein and Alexander Graham Bell might come to mind.

But in today’s blog, in honor of this inventors 361^st birthday, we’re paying tribute to Bartolomeo Cristofori, just like Google did last year with Cristofori’s very own Google doodle.

Does his name strike a chord with you? If it doesn’t, you’ll want to listen to his story!

Though Cristofori likely isn’t a household name or a name that immediately pops into your head when you think of famous inventors, you’d be surprised to know that his invention is much more popular than you think.

As an Italian musical instrument maker, Cristofori has been credited with the invention of the pianoforte, or as we now know it, the piano.

Yes, Cristofori invented the piano – you know, the instrument that plays some of the most beautiful music, has helped create some of the most famous music pieces and has aided some of the world’s best musicians? Yes, we’re talking about that piano!

Cristofori’s invention idea started when he created a hammer mechanism that struck the strings on a keyboard to make a sound. Depending on how hard or lightly the hammer struck the key, the sound would either be louder or softer.

The ability to change the volume of the tones was a major breakthrough for the music world.

Before Cristofori invented the piano, he worked as a harpsichord maker. If you’re unfamiliar with the harpsichord, the idea of changing the loudness of the tones is very foreign for this instrument. So, Cristofori set out find a better way to make music.

How did he do so? As we mentioned before, his invention was comprised of a hammer that struck the strings to make either soft or loud sounds, depending on the amount of pressure placed on the key by the musician. He removed the plucking mechanism that’s commonly found on a harpsichord and replaced it with a hammer – thus laying the foundation for the piano!

The origin of the piano dates back to around 1709 and about four of his pianos existed by 1711.

But, like most inventions, the first iteration isn’t the last. In fact, it took Cristofori 25 years to improve his piano to the piano that we’re most familiar with. The frames for his piano were made of wood in the style of a harpsichord. Though his invention wasn’t accepted by his home country of Italy, it was the Germans who marketed and made the instrument popular.

If it wasn’t for Cristofori’s idea and his ability to think outside of the harpsichord, we can’t help but wonder where would the likes of Frederic Chopin, Ludwig van Beethoven and Johann Sebastian Bach, to name a few, be?

You see, there’s no idea too small or large. Who knows, maybe one day your invention idea will change the world like Cristofori’s idea did!

Copyright Davison, 2016

Sources:

https://www.google.com/doodles/bartolomeo-cristoforis-360th-birthday

http://www.britannica.com/biography/Bartolomeo-Cristofori

Media:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/06/Bartolomeo_Cristofori.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f9/Cristofori1690OvalSpinet.jpg

http://www.google.com/doodles/bartolomeo-cristoforis-360th-birthday

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For over 25 years, we’ve been helping innovative people get their products on store shelves. In fact, our products have sold in over 1,200 stores.

This feat wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for our customer obsession and by that we mean our clients – the inventors.

In a recent article published on the Huffington Post titled, Customer Obsession is the New Design, our customer-driven mindset was echoed.

Airbnb’s head of design, Alex Schleifer, started a critical conversation about why design-led companies simply don’t work.

The head of design at a lucrative company is saying that design-led companies aren’t any good? Though this claim may be a bit befuddling, at the core of this argument is a larger conversation, one that’s rooted in the customer.

In the article, Rich Nadworny, Principal at Empatico, design consulting, argues that companies need more people who are “Customer Obsessive” and to use design tools to invent new things, new processes and ultimately, new experiences.

“If you’re customer obsessive, you must know what matters to someone else. You feel the drive to solve their problem first as a way of solving yours. That’s where innovation that matters happens,” he said.

Nadworny made note of something that stuck out, the idea of feeling the need and the desire to solve the customer’s problem first as a way of solving yours.

The notion of solving problems is at the core of inventions; and, at Davison, we work diligently every day to help our clients find a Better Way to do something through their problem-solving inventions.

That’s why this article reminded us of the Davison Inventing Method, a process that’s solely focused on our clients and their ideas.

Our work at Davison wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the creative minds of our clients, the inventors, who take a chance on their inventions and work with us to possibly turn their dreams into reality.

So in the end, we think it’s perfectly fine to have a healthy obsession with being customer obsessive.

Copyright Davison, 2015

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

Sources:

• Huffingtonpost.com

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If you’re one of the many people that spend more time in their car than in their house, Ford’s latest patent could make your commute a little bit homier!

Recently, Ford patented a concept for an autonomous car that can reconfigure its seats so that passengers in the front can face those in the rear, much like living room seating.

The patent drawing showcases a myriad of seat styles that can be altered to a person’s liking. For instance, a bench can be folded so that it’s either facing the rear or the front of the vehicle or a person can tuck their front seats under the dashboard for a comfortable foot rest.

Furthermore, the seats are on a swivel and can fold while the vehicle is in motion. Even the steering wheel can be stored in the dashboard for more space and added comfort!

The ultimate goal of Ford’s self-driving vehicle is that passengers can sit back and relax while their car takes them to their desired destination.

The idea behind Ford’s latest patent is reminiscent of the seating in the Mercedes-Benz’s futuristic autonomous concept that was revealed early this year at the International CES.

Though this is an innovative concept, you shouldn’t expect to see this vehicle in the near future. In fact, fully-autonomous vehicles are still a ways away from use due to regulatory and technological obstacles.

In the meantime, check out this short video from Bloomberg Business to learn more about Ford’s latest patent:

Copyright Davison, 2015

Sources:

http://mashable.com/2015/08/20/ford-living-room-car/ http://www.autonews.com/article/20150820/OEM06/150829990/ford-patents-autonomous-vehicle-with-reconfigurable-seats

The post Ford is Riding in Style with Latest Patent appeared first on Davison.

Recently, we saw another example of an invention that continues to evolve and we just couldn’t help but share it!

Luxury vehicle maker Lexus has just released a working hoverboard. The skateboard-esque invention uses superconductors and magnets to pull riders away from gravity, allowing them to zoom through the air like Marty McFly! While the ride is not nearly as effortless as it appeared in Back to the Future, the Lexus Hoverboard has passed initial product testing, proving that, yes, we may actually be able to fly through the air Jetson-style!

Our interests in this story are not purely to satisfy our inner child; our friends over at Inventionland have worked on a couple products that work similarly to the hoverboard concept! Remember our client, John’s BikeBoard? This outdoor enthusiast came up with an idea that combined two of his favorite alternative sports, biking and skateboarding. Imagine if this product was innovated to have hovering capabilities!

Then, there was our client, Kurt’s Hover Creeper. This innovative product actually gave a lift to mechanics everywhere, so that they could hover over imperfect garage floors to easily complete auto repairs. At the time that the product was released, it was necessary to power its air compressor via a wall outlet. But, what if the Lexus Hoverboard technology was used to give the Hover Creeper an additional lift?

It is this kind of forward thinking that fosters new inventions every day, which is why we couldn’t help but get excited about the Lexus Hoverboard’s successful product test! If you haven’t seen the Lexus Hoverboard in action yet, check it out here:

And, the Lexus Hoverboard isn’t the only recent technology that’s pushing for faster individualized transportation. A Japanese engineer has innovated a battery-powered board that is no larger than a laptop! Check out this personalized transporter that has been deemed the WalkCar here:

Here’s to two exciting new inventions that continue to prove there’s always a Better Way!

Copyright Davison, 2015

Sources:

http://www.wired.com/2015/08/lexus-hoverboard/

http://time.com/3989603/japan-walkcar-transporter/

Media:

http://www.wired.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/lexus-hoverboard-ft-1024×575.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwSwZ2Y0Ops&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvG_356itPs&feature=youtu.be

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

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