Everyday Edisons

Back in February, I was invited by the US Patent Office to be a speaker at a casting call in San Jose for Everyday Edisons, the PBS inventor show that documents the developmental process of 14 inventions and the stories of the people who invented them. Casting calls are held in locations around the country.

The program only chooses 14 inventors from the 10,000 inventors who show up for the casting calls. My role was to let the inventors who were not chosen know that it is possible to do it yourself if you have done your homework and are willing to go the distance. It is important to let the inventors who don't get chosen know that their ideas are great even though their project was not what the show was looking for at this time. What I really enjoy about Everyday Edisons (EDE) is that they go the extra mile to inform and educate inventors, even those who aren't chosen.

Since the Casting Call in San Jose, I have participated in two others. The 4th casting call of the EDE was held in Chicago and inventors showed up by the thousands to share their inventions or explain their ideas. I was delighted to run into fellow woman inventor, Krisztov Nagy. I met Krisztove on my first speaking engagement in San Jose and again at the 3rd casting call in Dallas. She was submitting another 4 inventions for review. I love her "Do-not-give-up-or-take-no-for- an-answer" attitude. This is someone who will make her dream happen. It was especially rewarding when she told me that I had inspired her to keep going.

Chicago wasn't all about inventors. I also ate my first Chicago-style hot dogs at Portillos and learned from Louis Foreman that ketchup is NOT ALLOWED on a hot dog in Chicago under any circumstances. But the trip was really about inventors and the casting call. I was delighted and impressed by the smart inventors who showed up. FINALLY someone is inventing the flying car and--a jet-pack that is a must-have item now that gas is so expensive. I can't wait to see what Boston inventors bring the table and what inventions EDE choses for their 2009 season.

jr