Some inventions are too funny for words. Check out this video of Weird Clothing Inventions.
I bet that made you laugh. Do you have your own odd ideas for inventions? Care to share?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Writing & Inventing
Last week I retreated to a cabin in the High Sierra, with my co-writer Patricia Harrelson, to work on The Right Sisters. It was an energetic, productive, and at times, comical experience.
We immersed ourselves in the lives of eight women inventors, reviewing transcriptions of our interviews with them, researching and fact checking key points, talking in depth about the common and unique themes among them, and eventually reading and revising the drafts we have written of their chapters. What occurred to me as we worked was how similar the writing process is to the inventing process.
The are both creative endeavors that require deep and meaningful attention and action. Patricia and I talked at length about each inventor. We hiked to the river and to a giant rock pile, notebooks in hand so we could record the insights that came to us. We stretched our bodies in yoga poses and our understanding of each woman deepened. I remember the talking, thinking, walking, and stretching that went into developing KleenSlate and my erasers and paddles.
A little humor is essential to both processes. Our cabin was funky. It was very old and tilted on the foundation, so we slept and wrote on an angle. A skunk family had nested under the cabin all winter, so that during the heat of midday a pungent scent wafted through the floorboards. At night, we had a regular visitor, a critter who made a rukus in the little kitchen, nibbling on fruit we'd left on the table and knocking pans off the stove. These discomforts seemed to feed our process rather than detract from it. We giggled at our cockeyed computers sitting on the table and shone flashlights into the kitchen at night trying to "catch" the critter in its beam.
We never caught sight of him, but we caught much more. The essence and flavor of the women inventors who have so wholeheartedly shared their stories with us. It is going to be a GREAT BOOK!
We immersed ourselves in the lives of eight women inventors, reviewing transcriptions of our interviews with them, researching and fact checking key points, talking in depth about the common and unique themes among them, and eventually reading and revising the drafts we have written of their chapters. What occurred to me as we worked was how similar the writing process is to the inventing process.
The are both creative endeavors that require deep and meaningful attention and action. Patricia and I talked at length about each inventor. We hiked to the river and to a giant rock pile, notebooks in hand so we could record the insights that came to us. We stretched our bodies in yoga poses and our understanding of each woman deepened. I remember the talking, thinking, walking, and stretching that went into developing KleenSlate and my erasers and paddles.
A little humor is essential to both processes. Our cabin was funky. It was very old and tilted on the foundation, so we slept and wrote on an angle. A skunk family had nested under the cabin all winter, so that during the heat of midday a pungent scent wafted through the floorboards. At night, we had a regular visitor, a critter who made a rukus in the little kitchen, nibbling on fruit we'd left on the table and knocking pans off the stove. These discomforts seemed to feed our process rather than detract from it. We giggled at our cockeyed computers sitting on the table and shone flashlights into the kitchen at night trying to "catch" the critter in its beam.
We never caught sight of him, but we caught much more. The essence and flavor of the women inventors who have so wholeheartedly shared their stories with us. It is going to be a GREAT BOOK!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Google Alert for Women Inventors
I'm always interested in anything that has to do with women inventors. In fact, I have a Google Alert set for anything connected to inventors in general and women inventors in particular. (check out Google Alerts to stay on top of news in your field)
That's how I learned about WOMENTORZ a website scheduled to launch in six weeks. Their site is designed to build a network of women inventors. In fact, they are advertising for help with beta testing.
I don't know these gals, but I sure like their idea. Check out the site and decide for yourself if it is something you want to pursue.
That's how I learned about WOMENTORZ a website scheduled to launch in six weeks. Their site is designed to build a network of women inventors. In fact, they are advertising for help with beta testing.I don't know these gals, but I sure like their idea. Check out the site and decide for yourself if it is something you want to pursue.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
High Tech vs Low Tech Inventions
We live in the technology age, and I’m right up there with everyone else enjoying the benefits of high tech inventions, such as Skype and my Iphone. I’m well aware that technology can change lives. That’s why I eagerly read an article by Jennifer Lawinski entitled “Five Inventions That Will Change Your Life.”
The funny thing is that when I read this article, I suddenly wanted to shout about the value of low tech inventions, particularly mine: the two-sided dry erase paddle.
The article described something called the cognitive radio—a communication device which is a cross between a walkie-talkie and a palm pilot. This high tech handset would allow communication during a disaster when the power is out and phones, including cell phones, and the Internet are not working.
As I read about the cognitive radio, my head starting screaming, “It’s paddle time!” I imagined folks sitting on roofs in a flooded out town. They held paddles pointed skyward with critical messages: “5 people here!” or “baby & disabled grandma.” Helicopters hovering overhead radioed this information to the rescue boats. KleenSlate paddles save the day!
I love technology, but let’s not forget that low-tech devices can be life savers too! How do you see KleenSlate saving the day? Or what about your low-tech invention? How will it change people's lives?
The funny thing is that when I read this article, I suddenly wanted to shout about the value of low tech inventions, particularly mine: the two-sided dry erase paddle.
The article described something called the cognitive radio—a communication device which is a cross between a walkie-talkie and a palm pilot. This high tech handset would allow communication during a disaster when the power is out and phones, including cell phones, and the Internet are not working.
As I read about the cognitive radio, my head starting screaming, “It’s paddle time!” I imagined folks sitting on roofs in a flooded out town. They held paddles pointed skyward with critical messages: “5 people here!” or “baby & disabled grandma.” Helicopters hovering overhead radioed this information to the rescue boats. KleenSlate paddles save the day!
I love technology, but let’s not forget that low-tech devices can be life savers too! How do you see KleenSlate saving the day? Or what about your low-tech invention? How will it change people's lives?
Monday, August 24, 2009
Proactive Business Relationships
I’m so grateful for the solid business relationships I’ve established since first inventing the eraser for dry erase markers. Among the first of these important relationships was meeting and working with Michelle Payne.
I met Michelle at a NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) California Chapter meeting. Michelle was smart and engaging, and when I learned that she did business coaching, I signed on.
Because Michelle lived more than 90 miles from me, we did most of our work via the telephone and email which saved time and money because we didn't have to travel. She helped me write my first business plan and taught me about things like pricing and the cost of goods. One of the best things we did was role playing exercises. She would play the buyer and I would be the seller. Practicing my pitch with Michelle on the phone was invaluable.
Michelle has moved on from business coaching to using her substantial skills to develop a non-profit organization called Parent Driven Schools. Last week, I was able to support Michelle’s new enterprise when KleenSlate was one of several sponsors at the premier of a documentary film about revolutionizing education by empowering parents. Check out the Parent Driven Schools website to see how you can involved.
Michelle embraces the idea of taking a proactive role no matter what your endeavor, be it building a prototype, writing a business plan, or securing the best education for your child. She’s part of my network of business relationships. I’m grateful to her and delighted to support her.
I met Michelle at a NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) California Chapter meeting. Michelle was smart and engaging, and when I learned that she did business coaching, I signed on.
Because Michelle lived more than 90 miles from me, we did most of our work via the telephone and email which saved time and money because we didn't have to travel. She helped me write my first business plan and taught me about things like pricing and the cost of goods. One of the best things we did was role playing exercises. She would play the buyer and I would be the seller. Practicing my pitch with Michelle on the phone was invaluable.
Michelle has moved on from business coaching to using her substantial skills to develop a non-profit organization called Parent Driven Schools. Last week, I was able to support Michelle’s new enterprise when KleenSlate was one of several sponsors at the premier of a documentary film about revolutionizing education by empowering parents. Check out the Parent Driven Schools website to see how you can involved.
Michelle embraces the idea of taking a proactive role no matter what your endeavor, be it building a prototype, writing a business plan, or securing the best education for your child. She’s part of my network of business relationships. I’m grateful to her and delighted to support her.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Fun Facts from Everyday Edisons
Everyday, human beings deal with problems. Inventors see problems and their minds click into action to seek a solution.
For example, Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals because he hated wearing two pairs of glasses.
Everyday Edisons, the award winning PBS series, documents this problem solving process by closely following inventors as they develop an invention. For the past couple of years, I've had the privilege of participating in the casting calls for Everyday Edisons. What a privilege it is to hear from people across the country who have inventive minds.
The program developers know that inventors find inspiration in hearing about other inventors. Not only have they created an awesome television program, they also have a newsletter that includes inventor updates and casting calls.
Here are a few fun facts I gleaned from the most recent newsletter:
My favorite invention story is one that I think epitomizes the thinking of so many inventors, that is the desire to make the world a better place:
To learn more about inventors, tune into Everyday Edisons AND go to their website and subscribe to the newsletter.
For example, Benjamin Franklin invented bifocals because he hated wearing two pairs of glasses.
Everyday Edisons, the award winning PBS series, documents this problem solving process by closely following inventors as they develop an invention. For the past couple of years, I've had the privilege of participating in the casting calls for Everyday Edisons. What a privilege it is to hear from people across the country who have inventive minds.
The program developers know that inventors find inspiration in hearing about other inventors. Not only have they created an awesome television program, they also have a newsletter that includes inventor updates and casting calls.
Here are a few fun facts I gleaned from the most recent newsletter:
Melting ice cream inspired the invention of the outboard motor. It was a lovely August day and Ole Evinrude was rowing his boat to his favorite island picnic spot. As he rowed, he watched his ice cream melt and wished he had a faster way to get to the island. At that moment, the idea for the outboard motor was born!
The Band-Aid was invented by a Johnson & Johnson employee whose wife had cut herself. Earl Dickson's wife was rather accident prone, so he set out to develop a bandage that she could apply without help. He placed a small piece of gauze in the center of a small piece of surgical tape, and what we know today as the Band-Aid band-aid was born!
My favorite invention story is one that I think epitomizes the thinking of so many inventors, that is the desire to make the world a better place:
British-born Tim Berners-Lee is the inventor of the World Wide Web, but he never made a cent on this invention which revolutionized the computer world. In 1989, he envisioned a way to link documents on the Internet using "hypertext" so "surfers" could jump from one document to another through highlighted words. Berners-Lee decided not to patent his technology because he feared that if he did, use of the Web would be too expensive and would therefore not become used worldwide. He passed up a fortune so the world could learn and communicate.
To learn more about inventors, tune into Everyday Edisons AND go to their website and subscribe to the newsletter.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Networking Leads to Match-Making
I can’t emphasize enough the value of networking. In my opinion, networking is the most powerful activity you can engage in if you are an inventor or entrepreneur.
That’s why I recently attended a Match-Makers Meeting hosted by the National Association of Women Business Owners. I went with express intention of meeting people who might influence me and my company, and I was NOT disappointed. One of the women at my table was Imelda Alejandrino, the CEO of FirstStep Marketing. Imelda and I hit it off immediately. She was engaging, smart, and absolutely full of wonderful ideas about developing my business. She was just the person I was looking for, someone who could breathe new life in KleenSlate.
I took her card. FirstStepMarketing focuses on assisting the marketing efforts of small start-up companies. Last Friday, I met with Imelda and her staff for a three-hour brainstorming session. The work was vigorous and inclusive, fascinating and energizing. Together we took an in depth look at KleenSlate from a variety of vantage points. We made lists and diagrams on the white board, using KleenSlate markers and erasers, and I took pages of notes. One specific activity that all small start ups need to do is a SWOT exercise, listing:
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
I identified the companies/brands I liked and shopped. They asked me to explain what I liked about these companies. Then they flipped that information around and made me look at how what I valued in other companies was emerging in my own company. We worked like this all afternoon until I my brain was spilling with new insights and awareness about KleenSlate and how I wanted to position myself in the market. The team at FirstStep will use information from our brainstorming session to draft a proposal regarding how to REFRESH the look of KleenSlate.
By putting myself in a place where I could meet people, being open to new experiences, and following up, I met Imelda Alejandrino and her partners. Now KleenSlate is getting a new branding/marketing strategy with a clear direction and an eye for the future.
Nothing beats networking!!
That’s why I recently attended a Match-Makers Meeting hosted by the National Association of Women Business Owners. I went with express intention of meeting people who might influence me and my company, and I was NOT disappointed. One of the women at my table was Imelda Alejandrino, the CEO of FirstStep Marketing. Imelda and I hit it off immediately. She was engaging, smart, and absolutely full of wonderful ideas about developing my business. She was just the person I was looking for, someone who could breathe new life in KleenSlate.
I took her card. FirstStepMarketing focuses on assisting the marketing efforts of small start-up companies. Last Friday, I met with Imelda and her staff for a three-hour brainstorming session. The work was vigorous and inclusive, fascinating and energizing. Together we took an in depth look at KleenSlate from a variety of vantage points. We made lists and diagrams on the white board, using KleenSlate markers and erasers, and I took pages of notes. One specific activity that all small start ups need to do is a SWOT exercise, listing:
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
I identified the companies/brands I liked and shopped. They asked me to explain what I liked about these companies. Then they flipped that information around and made me look at how what I valued in other companies was emerging in my own company. We worked like this all afternoon until I my brain was spilling with new insights and awareness about KleenSlate and how I wanted to position myself in the market. The team at FirstStep will use information from our brainstorming session to draft a proposal regarding how to REFRESH the look of KleenSlate.
By putting myself in a place where I could meet people, being open to new experiences, and following up, I met Imelda Alejandrino and her partners. Now KleenSlate is getting a new branding/marketing strategy with a clear direction and an eye for the future.
Nothing beats networking!!
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