Well, meet Paul Winchell; actor and inventor extraordinaire. Some may remember Paul Winchell from when they were small children, watching his children’s show on Saturday morning. It was fascinating. What made it so cool was that he was a ventriloquist and had two ventriloquist dummies named Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smiff. Throughout time, many people have been fascinated by ventriloquists and their ability to make their voice seem to come from another place.

Ventriloquists have been dazzling audiences for thousands of years, but just in the time we have had radio and television, we have had such artists as Edgar Bergan, Paul Winchell, Shari Lewis and even today we laugh at Jeff Dunham and his curmudgeonly old dummy named Walter. So it’s no surprise that little kids would be fascinated by Paul Winchell and his alter egos, Jerry and Knucklehead, back in the 60′s and 70′s.

You may recognize his distinctive voice in numerous animated roles for film and television cartoons. Turns out, he was a very successful voice actor and did a lot of work for Disney and Hanna-Barbera cartoons. Perhaps his best remembered role was as the voice of ‘Tigger’ in the Walt Disney movie “Winnie-the-Pooh and the Blustery Day,” which earned an Academy Award for best animated short film. He won a Grammy for the best children’s recording of the year for “Winnie-the-Pooh and Tigger Too.”

His voice gave life to many other characters, including Boomer in “The Fox and the Hound,” the Siamese cat in Disney’s “Aristocats,” and many Hanna-Barbera characters, including the evil Gargamel of “The Smurfs.” Winchell provided the voices of Sam-I-Am and his friend in “Green Eggs and Ham” from the animated television special “Dr. Seuss on the Loose” in 1973. In commercials, he voiced the Scrubbing Bubbles for Dow Chemicals and Mr. Owl for Tootsie Roll Pops.

But what was probably most fascinating about Winchell was the fact that he was a very successful inventor. Over the course of his life, he held patents on over 30 devices, including a disposable razor, a flameless cigarette lighter, an illuminated ballpoint pen, a retractable fountain pen, an inverted novelty mask, battery-operated heated gloves, an indicator to show when frozen food had gone bad after a power outage, and the first artificial human heart. That’s right, the artificial heart.

This invention was developed through collaboration with Dr. Henry Heimlich, inventor of the Heimlich Maneuver, and held the first patent for such a device. Though Dr. Robert Jarvik has been referred to as “the inventor of the artificial heart,” documents from the United States Patent Office show that on February 6, 1961, Paul Winchell filed for a patent on his artificial heart. He was granted a patent (3097366) on  July 16, 1963, well before the Jarvik-7 was ever invented.

Winchell established more medical patents while working on projects for the Leukemia Society and the American Red Cross. Some of his other medical inventions were a portable blood plasma defroster, a piezo-electric diaphragm, and a sectional garment for hypothermia. And there’s more. He was also an entrepreneur who owned a shirt factory; and a humanitarian who proposed an idea he called “The Tilapia Project,” which would have used the production of rapidly reproducing tilapia fish as a source of protein for undernourished people in sub-Saharan Africa.

We grew up thinking Tigger was all bounce and no brains; so if we told you the man who is the voice of Tigger is really a creative genius who has accomplished so many amazing things in his life, would you believe me?

We bet you would now…

SOURCES
http://paulwinchell.net/bio.html
http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/winchell.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/27/movies/27winc.html?_r=0

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Winchell
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0934593/bio
http://www.accuracyproject.org/cme-theartificialheart.html

PHOTO SOURCES:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Paul_Winchell_Jerry_Mahoney_1951.JPG
http://rense.com/general66/paulw.htm
http://ventdj.blogspot.com/2012/03/for-paul-winchell-fans.html

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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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Think of how much more difficult life would be if the world were never treated to the creations of great inventors. Without Thomas Edison, we’d be reading by candlelight. Without Ford, Daimler and Benz, we’d be riding horses to 7-Eleven to buy our scratch-off lottery tickets. And, without Dreamfarm, we’d be drinking faucet water from our dirty, cupped hands.

Instant Water Fountain

Imagine being able to turn any faucet into a drinking fountain. The Tapi Squeeze Tap Drinking Fountain makes that possible. The device was created by a company called Dreamfarm, who claims on their website “… we solve problems. It’s our purpose. It’s the reason we are here. Dreamfarm products are different. They may look odd, but they work brilliantly.”

Reading Whilst Lounging

Reading with one hand is downright non-sensical. It’s impossible to keep the pages from closing in on themselves and lounging is completely out of the question. The Thumb Thing Book Page Holder keeps your pages open as you read with one hand. It also comes in four different sizes, catering to even the largest of thumbs.

Couch Potatoes

We’ve all been there. You need to peel and cut potatoes, but your favorite episode of “Mama’s Family” is on. Too bad. Your wife is hungry! And, you need to make dinner. But, with Thomas Kral’s lap counter, now you can prepare dinner on your lap as you enjoy Vint and Bubba’s unpredictable hijinks. Kral’s counter provides mobility to peel, chop and slice fruits and vegetables, while sitting anywhere in the house. It is ergonomically shaped to fit the lap and is molded for both a container and a working surface.

The Cup Clip

Consistently spilling coffee and water on your office keyboard is an expensive hobby. But, don’t let the threat of an angry IT coworker stop you from enjoying your afternoon Sanka. Instead, try the YuZhou Table Cup Holder Clip, which conveniently clips onto a table or desk and keeps your beverage and electronics safe.

Stay tuned for more interesting inventions that make our lives simpler. If you can’t wait for the next blog post, get your fix for practical solutions at Davison.

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Now the question is: who is going to buy my invention?

That is a great question, and the Davison invention development process was constructed to help you find an answer to that question.

Davison is a product development company that gives inventors the tools they need to move their ideas from early-stage concepts to a professional product sample ready to present to manufacturers. However, Davison does not buy any ideas and it does not take ownership in an individual’s ideas or inventions. Rather, Davison has refined and developed a unique inventing method over the past twenty years that works with the inventor to design, engineer, build, package and present their ideas to manufacturers for possible licensing agreements. Going through these steps is critically important because manufacturers often want to see a working model or prototype.  In fact, they usually want to see a product that is very close to being ready to manufacture.

If Davison is successful in finding a licensee for a product, they will also provide licensing negotiation and royalty management services. Davison offers licensing representations services for 10% or more of the future royalties. However, this is not considered a purchase of patent or invention rights and no purchase or partnerships with Davison are offered. All throughout this process, the inventor remains the owner of the invention.

So rather than buy an idea, Davison works with clients to bring their ideas to market.  Whether it’s an idea that will enhance a current product, or an idea to develop a product from scratch, Davison has the experience, high quality technology, and the drive to provide professional quality invention development services.

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With reality TV shows like “The Voice,” “American Idol” and “The X Factor” captivating audiences nationwide, Walmart is making a play for a bit of the spotlight, with their own “Idol-style” contest called “Get on the Shelf.”

The “Get on the Shelf” competition, which launched in late January, gives small and large companies the opportunity to submit product ideas and supporting videos to the mega-retailer, in hopes of landing their products on Walmart’s store shelves.

Hugs Pet Products, an innovative pet product company that licenses many Davison-designed products, has entered several of those designs in the competition, including:

• Pugz Shoes
• Hydro Ball
• Hydro Bone
• Hydro Saucer
• Better Tether
• Dog Wash
• Auto Dish
• Cool Cot
• Cool Cottage

Since the start of the submission period, the “Get on the Shelf” contest has created quite a bit of buzz in the press.  USA Today reported on the competition and even showcased some early entries, including the Davison-designed Pugz Shoes for Dogs that our client, Kay, invented!

According to USA Today, “Some of the offbeat products competing include Pugz Shoes — boots for puppies that keep your pooch’s paws warm.”

Starting today, consumers have the opportunity to visit www.getontheshelf.com to browse all submitted entries and vote for their favorites.  According to an Advertising Age article, top vote-getters will be featured at Walmart online and may sell in select stores.

“The top three vote-getters will be sold on Walmart .com, and a grand prize winner will be featured on the home page for its 50 million monthly unique visitors and in select Walmart stores,” the article stated.

“Get on the Shelf” voting runs in two rounds:  Round 1 is March 7 to April 3, 2012 and Round 2 is April 11 to April 24, 2012.

Let’s show Walmart how powerful the Davison community can be!  Alert your friends, family, coworkers and everyone else you know to vote for all entered Davison designs!  To vote, simply visit www.getontheshelf.com!

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

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The Slinky– Engineer Richard James and his wife, Betty, borrowed $500 to start production of this spiral-coiled success – which came from an idea Richard had aboard a World War II Naval ship, when a spring fell onto the floor and flip-flopped around, amusing him.  The James’ perfected the long, steel ribbon and Richard designed the machine that manufactured the 80-foot Slinky himself.  Although it took some persuading to get the Philadelphia department store, Gimbels, to market the toy – it sold out in 90 minutes!  Today, nearly 300-million Slinkys have sold…and, at $3.99 each, those sales add up…fast!

Pet Rock– Advertising executive Gary Dahl is the mastermind behind the $3.95 smiley-faced rock that made millions!  According to Dahl, the “pets” were created as a replacement for the hassle, mess and money of more-conventional pets, like cats and dogs.  His packaging even included a training manual with instructions on how to take care of, train and command the rocks!  Estimates show Dahl sold over 5 million pets in a six-month time period.

Koosh Balls– Originally invented to help his own children learn how to catch, engineer Scott Stillinger tied rubber bands together to make a soft ball that wouldn’t hurt their hands.  The name came from the “koosh” sound the ball made when it hit the ground.  Evolving from rubber bands, OddzOn, Stillinger’s company, says there are approximately 5,000 fibers that go into one ball!  The Koosh line included about 50 products in all, some of which are still on the market for only a few bucks!

Antenna Balls– While Jason Wall has “had a ball” with his invention, he has Jack to thank.  When Wall found out Jack in the Box had sold millions of “Jack” antenna balls, he got busy designing his own novelty creations.  Whether in the form of happy faces, cowgirls or sports logos, you’ve probably seen Wall’s designs as you’ve been out traveling.  With million-dollar sales since 1999, you may already have one on your own car!  If not, you can pick one up for about 4 bucks at your local gas station or convenience store!

Silly Bandz– A new trend for children of all ages, Robert Croak, the ingenious creator  of Silly Bandz, got his idea while on a Japanese business trip in 2002.  There, silicone bands were used as a more environmental-friendly option for rubber bands.  Croak, and his employer, BCP imports, transformed the office supplies into fashion must-haves by adding tons of shapes and colors.  First hitting the internet in 2008, Silly Bandz are now sold at over 8,000 locations nation-wide.  At around a couple bucks per pack, Croak says he’s shipping out millions of the bandz each week!  What’s even better – he’s selling them with NO advertising!  The buzz for the bandz is all on-line, and on the playground, of course!

So, whether these popular gadgets slink down the stairs, “koosh” against the ground or do nothing at all – they’re sure to bring a lot of fun to children of all ages – and a lot of “fun” money to their inventors!

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In addition, two more Aviva products for which we designed the packaging, the Rocket Toss Dart Game and the Tot Totter, have hit SkyMall’s fall online catalog. That’s two more to add to our ever-growing list in the stores… the hits just keep on coming!

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The RV Daily Report is an independent source of all the news impacting the RV industry — for people employed in the industry as well as those who enjoy using RVs. The RV Leveler article also was featured under Breaking RV News at RV Trader.com!

In addition, the RV Leveler is the featured new product in the October 2009 issue of RV News, “the voice of the RV industry since 1975!” Check it out on the RV News New Products page!

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In the inventing and new product development business that one question is: “Where can I go to BUY the new product ideas that you worked on for your clients?”

If their clients’ ideas are not in the stores, politely thank them and move on. Do not, I repeat, do not listen to any other answer.

This may not be a typical Davison blog topic, but I thought it was time to address it. We have more and more customers who lost outrageous amounts of money from all the bad advice they got from invention promotion companies, fast-talking patent attorneys and others, before they found us. It’s becoming increasingly frustrating.

People who are doing this for the first time need a complete solution from someone with experience in all areas of product development. We research, design, engineer, build the product sample and negotiate the license and patent with the corporation. On some of the packages in the stores you’ll even see my cursive “D” on the back.

If anyone says it can’t be done all under one roof, it’s because they want to sell you on whatever limited service they offer. These invention marketing companies do not design, engineer or build anything. They will just talk, talk, talk you into thinking that you will get royalties for an undeveloped idea or undeveloped patent. Wrong!

These invention marketers tell people all they need to do is dream up an idea or make a website of an idea and that some major corporation will pay them royalties for it. They pretend they made a prototype and call it a virtual prototype.

Even if invention companies have pretty literature, glorious testimonials, lots of paper patents or even a fake product package, tell them you want to go see some of their clients’ products on the store shelves; better yet, three or four client products in different stores. In reality, all they build is ink on paper or pixels on an electronic screen.

Go to the stores and find out who is for real, before you trust them with your idea or your hard-earned money. In my case, you can find my clients’ products in stores all across the country – or, to save gasoline, just visit Davison.com’s Product Section.

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