If you missed the Inventors Club of Kansas City's National Invention Contest on Tuesday, never fear. Since I am a frequent user of inventions, I compiled some snapshots and commentary from my favorite moments from the bonanza, which took place at the Kauffman Foundation Conference Center.
I challenge you not to be charmed by the inventors and their brainchildren.
The Absentee Plunger Maker
Moderator Brad Hirni adjusts his glasses, which are attached to a cord of seashells around his neck. He reads the next name on his script. "Next up is Hor-Gay Bedoya," he says in a syrupy drawl, distinctly gringo. As Hirni explains why Jorge couldn't be there to present his invention, "the PL2," Jorge's PowerPoint zips quickly through to the end.
The room falls silent as they watch an animated plunger suck up water from an animated toilet. The PowerPoint ends, and the audience looks confused. "I assume since there's no audio, we are left to our imaginations!" Hirni says cheerily.
The Lady Who Screws
"Every time I say I invented a screw, everybody laughs. Get your laughs out of the way."
This is Nancy Tedeschi's opening, and only a few faint giggles gurgle from the audience.
She tries again: "I actually have a video of my mother demonstrating my screw to you." This time, more laughs. Her 4 a.m.-style infomercial shows Tedeschi's mother struggling to hold an eyeglass-repair screw; one wipe-screen effect later, she's overjoyed by a larger, more graspable screw.
Tedeschi says she has already sold two million screws to opticians.
The Magic Tarp
"Time's up," says one of the two young boys playing the role of timekeeper.
He can't help but sneak in, "It's a yard tote too."
Tricycles for Fat Kids
William Bell of Arkansas has reinvented the wheel. The adjustable, resilient training wheel, to be exact. As he and his adult son lug tricycles of varying sizes on stage, he explains: "We have seven different types of systems. We have systems for children that have the obesity."
Bell doesn't have a video, but conducts a live demonstration: he slams his gaunt arm, the end curled into a fist, heavily on the trike over and over. He raises his voice to be heard above his tricycle-punishing: "This child is not gonna get hurt."
One of the judges jumps in. "Can you explain, like ... how is this different from training wheels that are out there?"
"Iz junk!" Bell replies with a gap-toothed grin, his voice getting higher with excitement. "Everyone knows that."
The audience laughs.
"With my wheels, that child ain't gon' keel over."
"I can't understand what he's saying," one boy with a time card whispers to the other.
The Light in the Attic Garage
Gary Hardesty's Mat Lite is a device that can light up the entire underside of a car while leaving your hands free. Pretty useful if you're a body shop technician.
His invention landed him a spot as one of three finalists. The other finalists were Nancy Tedeschi of eyeglass-screw fame (who also won the People's Choice Award) and Frank Morosky, who invented a deodorizing bag for clothes.
I asked Hardesty if he felt camaraderie with the other inventors. "It'd be rude not to," he replied.
Patrick Raymond is one of the more popular judges. Female inventors kept promising to visit him in New York, and not because of his taste in gadgets.
Raymond is an inventor himself, although his first invention -- a shower curtain extender -- failed by his own admission. His other invention was an invention-evaluation system. Now, he's the executive Director of the United Inventors Association. Not bad for two inventions.
I asked him which of the inventions we witnessed tonight could end up on TV, and he thought the Concrete Flipper had great potential.
"Isn't that just a tarp with four handles?" I asked.
"Isn't a paperclip just a piece of wire?" he replied.
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Well, one of the best post l have come across on this worthwhile subject. I quite go along with with your suppositions and will eagerly look forward to your upcoming updates.
Dear Mandy, as one of the judges, I remember you interviewing me. It seems that the inventors take exception to your writing style, and as an inventor myself, I must say that I understand their reaction. You may have attempted to be lighthearted, but in the process, it seems that some dismissive comments have hurt their feelings. Now I know your job as a journalist is to be informative and entertaining, but maybe more of the former and less of the latter would have been nice. As a non-inventor, just remember that you have not been through the agony and struggle of taking an idea to market. Trust me, inventors work hard. We are often misunderstood. And all we want is to be taken seriously. Unfortunately, that is not always possible. People do enjoy making fun of us. Some of our gadgets might look silly at first, until they sell like crazy! And if there is criticism to be made, best to do it in a constructive way.
So to all my fellow inventors, I say this: don�t worry about it. Don't give up. Don't let the mockery hurt your feelings. But most of all, don;t expect non-inventors to understand. They can't. I�ve developed a strong belief in myself, and it is kept strong by working and helping fellow-inventors like you. We are not alone, and together, we are strong.
Sincerely,
Patrick Raymond
Founder, www.MyInventionScore.com
Executive Director, United Inventors Association
Ms. Oaklander,
Have you ever read the bible where it says " judge Ye not, Least ye be judged thyself and in thy judging so condemn thyself." I don't think that God is happy with people that poke fun at others, especially when they are attempting to do something to improve the lives of others around them. You made it a point I see of being negative without going further to speak with the Inventors and get the real scoop. The real scoop is these individuals work hard to make it easier on You and I. You should tell them you are sorry for being so cruel.
Mandy,
YOUR STUPID STORY HAS MADE ME ABSOLUTELY FURIOUS. I'LL SAY IT. YOU ARE A SPITEFUL BITCH TO MAKE FUN OF MR. BELL WHEN I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN HIS STRUGGLES AND PASSION TO GET HIS INVENTION (HIS INVENTION THAT HELPS PEOPLE)ON THE MARKET. ONE DAY I HOPE SOMEONE TAKES YOUR HOPES AND DREAMS AND JUST PISSES ALL OVER IT SO YOU WOULD KNOW HOW IT FEELS. SHUT YOUR MOUTH IF YOU CAN'T SAY ANYTHING NICE.
Sincerely,
Amanda Moore
Hey mandy, Inventors may be a strange bunch to you but look how many of them help to build our nation. Inventions create jobs
Mandy,
I am sorry that you found my perfomance at the show lacking. I have suffered 7 storkes and have had ADHD all my life but it never stopped me from loving to create. It is my mission to created a safer system for kids, adults, and disabled persons. I had very little time in which to present my systems and really be able to relate to the audience all the data they should have known about the systems. I was also a bit flustered after driving 500 miles to get there to present it. I was told before hand that my patent would not place because they usually do not take on this type of patent but they were pleased to no end to see it and wanted me to come and present it anyway. I was also loud due to the fact as that when I was sitting in my seat I could not hear many of the speakers and thought that I must speak up to be heard in the back when it comes my turn. As a vet I was trained to serve and protect our nation and it has carried on within me to protect people. That is all I am trying to do. The gap in my smile you mentioned in this article was due to an injury I sustained while trying to stop a speeder on the hwy that was driving wildly and endangering other motorists. The lady judge that asked me the question you are refering to was answered correctly. Stiff training wheels do not flex and handle different terrain like mine do. They are junk. We have many groups and business's that tell us our design is superior to all other systems. I am not tooting my own horn I'm just passonate about the need for protection for bike riders. You should have been out in the parking lot with the other buisness men after the contest and taken a ride for yourself on my system.
Mandy Mr. Bell just spent hours on an unfamilar hwy to travel to the contest and yes he did have a video that the Kaufman foundation had ready for the audience to see that Ms. Carrie Jeske was the operator of. I'm not sure how you missed the video that was on screen. Mr. Bell has spent 7 years and took 20 out of 23 claims on his patent which makes it a sold patent. He also has had many childrens groups that support all riders and disabled individuals review and test this system. He was also in the top showings in the Arkansas Gov. Cup awards held by the MCDonald W. Reynolds foundation and was sponsored by Winrock International and is a member of the Arkansas Coaliton for Excellence. His speech may be a bit gruff since he himself is a disabled person who has spent a great amount of personal dollars to make sure all riders can be safer out there and enjoy the cycling experience. Perhaps you should look at his Planet Eureka Merrill Reports on his sales potential if he were to go for profits but he did not want to do that he wanted to remain as a non-profit and see if he could not get this system out to those who want and need it. We have many disabled kids and parents that have tested this system and are glad to have it at low cost or for free. I myself lost the ability to drive in 1994 and due to Mr. Bell's kindness I have a way to travel in which I am not a burden on others. If you would like more data on what he has been trying to do and what all he has achieved please feel free to contact us. Evidently we impressed some people since they have been emailing and calling us with rave reviews. Also Mr.Doug Danforth who has the group Aha LLC and is with the Missouri colleges also wanted us to submit our patent to their experts and work with them to get it into the markets.
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