Simplicity goes a long way for this brand; from its ingredients and shape to its packaging, Cheerios continues to deliver quality in every box.

Cheerios were invented by Lester Borchardt and a team of people at General Mills in 1941. At that time, they not only invented the cereal, but they also had to invent a machine that could be used to create puffed cereal like puffed wheat. After lots of time and money were spent on this project with no results, Borchardt’s boss wanted to call it quits. But, knowing that this was a good idea, Borchardt continued with the development of his invention. And, after two months, Cheerios were born.

Did you know that from 1941 to 1945, what we now know as Cheerios were originally called Cheerioats?

Innovative thinking was necessary when it came to Cheerios’ packaging design. Since the cereal itself was simple, General Mills had to come up with new ideas to market and sell their cereal. In order to compete with Kellogg’s, under the management of James Bell, the owner of General Mills was inspired to sponsor a radio show that targeted children with a moral in each episode. It just so happened that at the time General Mills was sponsoring a radio show, the creator of the Lone Ranger wanted a sponsor for syndicating the show throughout the U.S. in 1949. The common association between the Lone Ranger and General Mills continued for 20 years and helped catapult Cheerios to the top spot as one of the most popular breakfast cereals.

General Mills continued to ride the momentum train as they worked to invent more advertising innovations behind the idea that the packaging for Cheerios shouldn’t contain only the cereal. So, the marketing department at General Mills successfully co-branded their boxes of Cheerios with the Disney Company through the late 1940s and 50s and offered exclusive discounts on comic books.

During the mid- 1960s, Cheerios used its packaging to promote a new social and charitable endeavor that was started by General Mills, known as “Project Head Start.”

However, the majority of the time, the Cheerios packaging design has remained the same, with Cheerios written in black font and a picture of the actual cereal on the front of the yellow box.

More recently, in 2012, as one of America’s most iconic cereal brands, Cheerios invented a “Better Way” to give club stores like Sam’s Club, Costco and others more cereal with less packaging.

General Mills brought to the market new technology that packs cereal more densely. The packaging design technology reduces the size of the packaging and saves more than 200,000 pounds of paperboard each year.

As a new year is underway, General Mills has announced that they will release a new product. In response to consumer demand, there will be Cheerios on store shelves that are made without genetically modified ingredients. The original Cheerios packaging design will now be labeled with “Not Made With Genetically Modified Ingredients.”

Although changes have been made to the ingredients of the product, the simple yet iconic packaging design of original Cheerios has withstood the test of time.

Copyright Davison 2014

Sources:

http://blog.generalmills.com/2013/08/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-cheerios/

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/08/the-origin-of-cheerios/

http://www.generalmills.com/Brands/Cereals/Cheerios.aspx

http://www.mrbreakfast.com/cereal_detail.asp?id=772

http://www.generalmills.com/ChannelG/Inside_General_Mills_live_archive/2012/cheerios_packaging_2_22.aspx

http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Short-History-of-Cheerios&id=4087377

Images:

http://www.mrbreakfast.com/cereal_ucp_slideshow.asp?id=772&picid=190

http://theimaginaryworld.com/mills.html

http://blog.generalmills.com/2013/07/the-lone-ranger-and-cheerios-long-time-riding-partners/

http://www.greenerpackage.com/sites/default/files/NACD-Cheerios2.jpg

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Every year the Consumer’s Electronic Show (CES), the massive trade show produced by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), is held in Las Vegas to highlight the latest and greatest in consumer electronics. Since the CEA is the pre-eminent trade association promoting growth in the $195 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry, you would expect a monster blowout of a trade show.  And that’s just what this show delivered.

The show featured more than 3,250 exhibitors across 1.9 million net square feet of exhibit space, breaking both the space and exhibitor records set in 2012.  This year’s show unveiled about 20,000 new products, and there were several new products that simply blew the doors off of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Here is a sampling of a few of the electronic innovations that we felt were truly cutting edge.

• Samsung 45mm 2D/3D Camera Lens – Samsung unveiled the new NX 45mm F1.8 2D/3D lens, the first one-lens 3D system capable of capturing both still images and full HD movies in perfect 3D quality.  Normally, if you want to shoot 3D images, you need two cameras, or at least two lenses. But the innovators at Samsung crafted a lens with two LCD shutters inside the lens that alternate exposures within microseconds to give 3-D depth to the image.  Of course, the feature can be turned off if you simply want a 2D image, but where’s the fun in that?
• NVIDIA Project Shield Portable Gaming Device — If you’re a gamer, you’re gonna love Project Shield.  It’s the first portable gaming device that really plays like a bigger home device.  It has a full-size game controller, a 5-inch touchscreen, a NVIDIA Tegra 4 processor, breakthrough Wi-Fi technology, and stunning HD video and audio.  But not only is it a gaming device designed to add tactile controls to Android games, it also links up with email and web browsing to bring you a very cool, hand-held that can do it all.
• Sony’s Xperia Z Smartphone – It wouldn’t be a proper CES report without at least one smartphone shout-out.  The Sony Xperia Z is that phone.  Sleek, full HD display, super thin, water/dust resistant, powerful – what’s not to like. Wait; did you say water resistant?  Yes, so if you’re one of those people who must talk or text while showering, this is definitely the phone for you.
• LEGO Mindstorm EV3 – Probably the coolest thing to come out of CES 2013 was the EV3.  Yes, LEGO has had Mindstorm robotics since 1998, but the new EV3 is clearly a leap ahead (picture above).  The beauty of this set is that it can be as simple or as sophisticated as needed.  With the blend of basic computer science and simple building techniques, the EV3 gives kids a chance to make their own robots very easily. For the more experienced, EV3 begs to be tinkered with, and a Bluetooth link to the computing ‘brick’ allows the EV3 to be controlled via a remote control Android app. The kit has instructions for a few different robots, but it’s LEGO, so anyone can create their own.

So the 2013 CES lived up to its predecessors.  And while there were many other cool things – ultra HD and OLED televisions, new headphones, iPad accessories, wireless speakers and IP cameras – we just didn’t have the space to talk about everything. But all this cool new stuff and the record breaking size of this year’s show is enough to make us eagerly anticipate CES 2014 even more.  Besides, it’s Vegas, baby.

We’ll have a full CES wrap-up from the Davison Licensing Department next week.  Stay Tuned….

SOURCES

http://www.cesweb.org/About-CES.aspx

http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2013-01/best-ces-2013-popular-sciences-products-future

http://www.mynewsdesk.com/us/pressroom/tobii_technology/pressrelease/view/tobii-rex-world-s-first-consumer-peripheral-for-gaze-interaction-to-be-unveiled-at-ces-825213?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=Subscription&utm_content=pressrelease

http://www.tobii.com/en/gaze-interaction/global/

http://shield.nvidia.com/

http://mashable.com/2013/01/10/mashable-ces-picks-2013/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+(Mashable)

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Will-the-Sony-Xperia-Z-cope-with-the-fierce-competition-of-2013-Heres-what-you-think-about-this_id38612?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+phonearena%2FySoL+(Phone+Arena+-+Latest+News)

http://www.wired.com/geekmom/2013/01/new-lego-ev3-minstorms-hands-on/

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Early this year, we introduced you to our client Cathalene’s 6-in-1 Manicure Multitool, a nail-saving device that includes six essential nail-care tools.  The product filed onto store shelves in March and since its debut, has received rave reviews online from health and beauty blogs that include LUXE LIFE daily, The Budget Beauty Blog and Dollface.

Unfortunately, during her product’s journey to store shelves, Cathalene passed away. However, her dream of salon-perfect nails without having to carry around a salon’s worth of supplies is thriving and we’ve finally been able to share the 6-in-1 Manicure Multitool’s success with her family!

According to our Vice President of Business Development and Licensing, Dan Simbeck, getting in touch with Cathalene’s family was not an easy task; but, we’ve finally been able to send her husband, Delbert, and her brother, N.G. Brown, a package that included a sample of the 6-in-1 Manicure Multitool, along with the product’s very first royalty check!

“Through countless people’s efforts throughout the company, we were able to locate Delbert and help Cathalene’s memory and legacy live on through the life of her product,” said Simbeck.

Cathalene’s brother wrote us a thank you note and was kind enough to share photos of Delbert as he opened up the package.

“I think he was stunned, but happy,” said Brown.  ”Thanks for your efforts for my sister and now for Delbert.”

The client has not realized a net profit on this product. A typical project does not get a royalty agreement, sell in stores or generate a profit.

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From Lucky’s mind… to you!

Imagine having a product that you use [as] an infant, a child, a teen and an adult… something that is both utilitarian and stylish.  You’re probably thinking of the blanket you had as a child; but, one designer, David Singelyn, has endeavored to create a piece of furniture to follow you throughout your life.  Dubbed “Gro Furniture,” the crib/bed/desk hybrid is designed to get the most use out of one piece of furniture.  Taking a basic frame of bamboo plywood, the owner is able to use several modules that allow the crib to become a bed for a small child, a day bed, and eventually, a desk, creating a piece of furniture that can last a lifetime.

Gro Furniture is not the first well-designed product that serves multiple purposes, of course.  In 2008, Moreno Ferrari designed a line of clothing for C.P. Company that went from fashion to functional gear.  The Transformable Armchair, for example, was a raincoat that the wearer could take off and inflate into an armchair.  [It was] certainly not the most practical design, but [was] visually appealing and could be useful in marine or camping situations.

And, speaking of marine life, if you’re the boating type, the Amphicar was the only mass produced amphibious automobile available to the American public.

It was powered by a Triumph Harold engine and was capable of speeds of 70 mph on dry land and 7 mph in the water.  It could drive from land, directly into the water, with no need to retract its wheels.  Unfortunately, the company went under when EPA and DOT regulations went into effect in 1968, but Amphicar enthusiasts still restore and drive these cars today!

As promised, you will be hearing a lot more from Lucky in the future.  Every couple of weeks, he’ll be giving us his perspective on what’s hot in the invention industry!

Stay tuned for more!

[Source: Yahoo News, Fab.com, Found_NYC, The International Amphicar Owner’s Club.  Amphicar Trio Photo Credit: Fran Gealer]

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“This is awesome news,” said the VP of Licensing. “It’s great to see they’re testing in Bed Bath & Beyond.”

The line, which offers the convenience of full-size utensils that take up less storage space, is comprised of 15 folding utensils: Ladle, Slotted Turner, Measuring Spoon Set, Large Slotted Turner, Solid Spoon, Turner, Pasta Spoon, Whisk, Skimmer, Measuring Cup Set, Silicone Spatula, Slotted Spoon, Pastry Brush, Ice Cream Scoop, Spoonula. All the tools, except for the whisk and ice cream scoop, can be used with handles folded or extended. When extended they lock securely in place, and then unlock with the push of a button.

“I’m glad to see them go to market and I can’t wait to buy them,” said the Corporate Creative Coach, who also admitted he wanted them for his own kitchen.

Several of the products are now on our website: Silicone Spatula, Spoonula, Slotted Spoon and Pasta Spoon. Others will be added soon, so check back – There is sure to be more great news about the Swingers in the near future!

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The first product we have created for New Product Kingdom is on its way to the store shelves! The Air Rack that we designed for the company is being shipped to a distributor in Canada, which will send the 300-piece test order to stores in the Home Hardware chain – Canada’s largest independent home improvement retailer!

“It works well, it looks good and hopefully it will sell a ton,” said Davison’s VP of Licensing. “This is the first NPK product, and there will be many more to come.”

The heavy-duty inflatable product, which includes a pump, can be quickly and securely attached to the roof of a vehicle, providing an instant and lightweight rack to hold oversize loads. When not needed, the rack can be compactly stored in the trunk.

The product design, graphic design, packaging and photography were all created in house.  The Air Rack concept came out of a brainstorming meeting with the corporation last summer. Three related projects are also in the works: kayak / canoe rack, cargo rack, and storage pad – which will make four items in the line. The small packaging required for inflatable items takes up much less space on the store shelf, which has many benefits for the retailer and corporation, as well as the consumer, said Davison’s corporate design manager. “You just can’t beat the packaging space.”

Congratulations to all who worked on this great new product! We can’t wait to see the rest of the line!

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So what is a Hydro Bone and how does it keep dogs cool and content in hot weather? One happy canine demonstrates this refreshing chew toy that we created for Hugs Pet Products. The video is posted on the website of Doctors Foster and Smith, which is selling this innovative new product.

The post Cool Video of the Hydro Bone appeared first on Davison.

Four new ‘wellness’ products for which we created all the packaging, photography and in-use shots are now selling on Walmart.com!

TheComfort Me Spa Sets and the Relaxzen 5-Motor Massage Mat with Heat are the first in a new line of more than 20 individual wellness items that we have worked on for Comfort Products, as we help the manufacturer branch out into other areas. Davison’s corporate design manager was a bit surprised when he came across the items that just went up on Walmart’s website. “It definitely was nice to stumble across them,” he said.

Although the website does not show the packaging, it does use the product images that we provided, as well as the in-use shots , which feature Davison employees.

We initially created planograms for the kits so Comfort Products could present the items to another buyer. Walmart was quick to express interest, however, and decided to first test the products on their website.

The corporate team has just received two additional new items from Comfort Products to add to the line for which we will do photography now and create the packaging later. More products in the line are sure to hit the market, and all the new products soon will be added to our product pages, as well.

“It’s a nice surprise, and it’s great to see that we continue to get more and more D’s on the market,” said Davison’s senior category director of licensing. He soon will have more good news to report about Comfort Products items with the Davison “D” that are slated to go to market next month – So stay tuned!

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According to the publisher, National Business Media, RV PRO is targeted to 15,000 RV industry professionals — executives and managers who make their living selling and/or installing RV aftermarket products and accessories. This includes those at dealerships and retail operations, park and resort developers, parts/accessories suppliers, maintenance shop owners and RV manufacturers.  Click the image below to view the great write-up of the RV Leveler in RV PRO!  Or check out the just launched digital version of the magazine, in which the write-up links directly to CIPA. Congratulations to everyone who worked on this fantastic product!

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It’s a triple play! Our Meatball Baker, Party on the Go and Perfect Slice are featured in the Winter 2009 edition of “Innovation,” the quarterly design publication of the Industrial Designers Society of America. Our senior concept designer, who created the Perfect Slice, submitted the products to the magazine. The Party on the Go was invented by our client, Joy, and the Meatball Baker was invented by our client, Jean. Congratulations, everyone!

What a nice surprise to see all three products in the Housewares section of the magazine, right up there with G.E., Bunn, Bosch, Oreck and Pyrex, in a full-page spread in “Innovation!” Each product shot includes a great description, as well as a link to Davison.

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