Choose Your Idea Carefully - Hopefully You Have Many...

I normally post about inventors who have arrived at an idea from their knowledge of what exists, creating something useful from natural laws and out of necessity, but today I want to share some thoughts. I believe that one of the greatest joys in life is having these ideas and being able to articulate them. It is another question as to whether one should venture to act upon them.  The journey to get there is not a joyful one – though I do believe the journey, and victories along the way, are the most fulfilling times (filled with achievement) - offset by what often seem to be insurmountable obstacles. Wow, incredible to overcome those!

We filter through many ideas in our daily activities, and then, when one sticks (the epiphany), and we can't get it out of our head, we execute upon it...for better or for worse, in richness and in poorness. Inventors, choose your path carefully!

Matt Potts

Trevor Baylis Introduced the Wind-Up Radio in 1996

There was not much awareness of the Aids epidemic in Africa in the 90s, so Trevor Baylis invented a solution to spread the word and save lives. A major issue was the cost of battery power for radios and the lack of electricity. Inventor Trevor Baylis came up with a solution to this problem in 1996, when he introduced the world to the first-ever hand-powered, wind-up radio. You've seen the commercialization of many other hand-powered products since - mostly radios and flashlights - courtesy of the ingenuity of Trevor. I expect much more innovation in this area in the future; many more hand-powered, and very possibly foot-powered, commercial products. This is one to watch closely...

In 1888 Theophilus Van Kannel Invented the Revolving Door

Theophilus Van Kannel invented the revolving door in 1988. It became the entrance for the modern skyscraper. The revolving door served as an airlock, preventing the rapid influx of cold air into warm buildings on chilly, windy days. The revolving door was also useful in keeping out street noises, fumes and other outdoor elements.

Afred Nobel - Literary, Inventor of Dynamite, and Peacemaker

Despite much hardship in his life - including the loss of his brother in one of his experiments, and his family's losses after the Crimean War - Alfred Nobel persevered to become a legendary contributor in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Peace, Literature and Economics. While dynamite was arguably not his most beneficial contribution, the wealth he amassed in its sales enabled him to contribute immeasurably.

Rene Lacoste - Inventor of the Steel Tennis Racquet ... And More

In 1963 Rene Lacoste invented the first steel tennis racquet. Remarkably, Rene was a great tennis player in the 1920s, winning 7 Grand Slams. Furthermore, it is said that the Lacoste label was the first to be placed on the outside of a shirt. And there's  much more to be said about this incredible sportsman and innovator - a contributor to apparel, tennis and international team tennis competition.

Inventor of SawStop (registered) Finger Saver - Steve Gass

SawStop (registered) is an amazing invention that stops a table saw blade from running when a finger makes slight contact with the blade. The blade carries an electrical signal. The human body has a relatively large inherent electrical capacitance and conductivity, which causes the signal to drop with finger contact to the blade;wood does not have the same effect. This ingenious idea will save alot of fingers of careful, neverless human, craftsmen.

Steve's original idea was to license the technology to other table saw manufacturers, but after negotiations failed to produce agreements, he and 2 partners decided they would need to bring the technology to the market themselves. They did it with a number on selling table saw now on the market!

Phil Avery - Inventor of Folding Cookware

I am looking forward to seeing Phil Avery's folding baking pans on the market. This guy is no chef, but just like the rest of us, he knows the hassle of finding the right pan in a cluttered cupboard and trying to put it back in place. Folding cookware is a great idea! How about color coding the pans so I know which one to use?