ABC's American Inventor - Episode 2 Season 2 Live Blog and Show Recap

Sorry everyone. We had a technical glitch and the article was not publishing. It should be ok from here...hopefully.

did you notice that ABC filmed at the hippie guy's house in New Mexico?  What was up with that?  Why would they go all the way to his house if the judges weren't going move the  stick toy forward? 

go rowdy hat guy!! so what if my toddler could make a better hat than that one. 

This is amazing.  Every time you see a contestant who mirrors someone from Season One....take a shot.

I'm already up to six, maybe seven, drinks.

It looks like the producers have given up. Now we know why there was no reral publicity for this season.  And why ABC never bothered to send out advance copies of the show.  They knew.

They had a stinkerooooo.

If I were the Spanx lady, I'd be crying too.

Personally, I blame Simon.  And Peter.  It's their show.

And they have to be ashamed.

If Pat Croice says yes one more time after braggin how tough he is....well, I'll just take two shots!!!

Cheers!!

I think the wheelchair is brilliant. I can see almost every person changing to this one with a little work.

Anyone see the kid from last year with the doggie air conditioner waiting in line?

I think they showed him for half a second.

I think we've got our next American Inventor.  That was an great idea.  It will be a shame if he doesn't make it at least into the top ten (assuming there isn't already a patent out there on it). 

Yes, I recognized the doggy car fan kid too. 

I already have a battery tester.  My brother bought it for me last year. 

OMG a paper airplane and a water balloon won

Breaking news. Peter is human. Peter is personally paying for the hearing aid stabilizer inventor's $3,000 of expenses. Is anyone else surprised by this?

I am very curious to know which company charged that poor family $3,000 for a patent search. 

Anyone catch the name of the product? I've been trying to find it online, I want one. =)

With google patent search folks can get a preliminary patent search for free now.

Ahh...progress. :) 

What's $3000 to a billionaire. He should do stuff like that more often.

Hey, the guy's worth $500 million, if you believe the announcer. $3000 is pocket change for him. I have to hand it to him, though, he is the most level-headed of the bunch. I've agreed with every one of his decisions in these first two episodes of the season. Well, except for the hearing aid clip. I wasn't about to fall for another sob story. That seems to be the secret weapon for a lot of people. Bring out the sob story and the kids and you're golden. And, yes, battery testers are a dime a dozen. These judges really show their ignorance by letting it go through. They really need judges who actually know something about what's on the market already. Doug Hall was much better than George or Pat.

I agree that the show so far is pretty disappointing but I hate the first part of American Idol and love when it starts getting good.

Maybe when the stupid stuff is over, the show can get better?

I agree that the judges are lame. Other than the charisma of George Forman, I think the judges are worthless.

I want the old judges back.  Doug and Mary Lou where are you?

I think Peter is ok.  I think as a business man he has a better sense of things but I am unimpressed with the others

I just saw this show and I am OBSESSED with those flowers!!!! To answer your question above, their names were Erica Fand and Shelley Kohan and their product was called Fresh Cuts. I know this because I just watched it 5 times on my tivo. Does anyone know where I can buy these flowers?? THEY ARE SOOO COOL!!!!!

I've done a full review of the products from the perspective of their potential on DRTV (infomercials and home shopping).

If you care to take a look, it's at:

http://martyfahncke.wordpress.com/2007/06/13/american-inventor-review-of-inventions-episode-2/

Seth,

Thanks for the on point blog.. went to the bathroom and missed the coffin! See you soon.....;)

Amy J

I am a little disappointed that the wheel chair did not win. I understand its not mass market but its a really wonderful idea.  I hope some manufacturer contacts him and gets it done as it would be wonderful to see it on the market.

I found the show much more enjoyable this week and they had good inventions rather than stupid ones.

I agree.... the wheelchair has a great market and benefits everyone all the way around.

BTW.. The pictures uploaded on ABC's site ('episode 201') were taken at the Berry Center in Houston. The green dress lady with the guitar..omg..watch out! She was a sweet lady... everyone at the Houston auds ...characters! I'll tell more after the 4th.

Amy J

RMR

Shouldn't the show be doing one, at least on the ones they want to make it to the finals?  The tree topper is US3171493 , issued in 1965!

I loved the custom built racers!  What a great idea, he definately deserved to go to the finals.  I also loved the cake decorator and was surprised that it didn't make the top three.  I would love to see it on the market and would definately buy one!  I wasn't impressed with the flower thing at all.  The flowers looked too phoney and there are already dozens (if not hundreds) of good air freshners on the market! 

Same here. I've had a battery tester for years. little piece of plastic with a gauge that shows how much energy is left. I was confused when they said yes to the light show called a batter tester. Have none of the judges ever seen one?

The tree angel could be a smoke detector and the paper computer designs could be patterns for designing clothing instead. The sprinkler will make a mess and you can extinguish the fire yourself. you shouldn't leave your house with the lights on! and paper/ I thought when Peter was examining it he would do the same he did with the lady's paper sheets from last season. Quote: "rubbish- then throw them on thhe floor! Ha! Even cardboard is not expected to hold up as the pink cadillac car perfume was displayed some years back. And what kind of boxy designs will "paper" hold a car or airplane design?

They lied when they told me they couild send my invention through, but that it would be too much for them. And that there were other better inventions!

"The tree angel could be a smoke detector and the paper computer designs could be patterns for designing clothing instead. The sprinkler will make a mess and you can extinguish the fire yourself." 
No, you can't. The Guardian Angel does have an alarm. But didn't you watch the fireman's video? That tree was fully engulfed in about 15 seconds. No way you can put that out unless you were actually standing there with a fire extinguisher the moment the fire started. If you were in a different room, it'll be too late. Although the firefighter has a bad idea. Water is not the right agent to use since it could be an electrical (class C) fire. I would opt for a dry chemical agent like ammonium phosphate, pressurized with Inergen or CO2. And yes, the poster above is right. The 1965 patent does essentially do the same thing, except for the alarm. It has now expired, so the only question is whether Chavez can get a new patent for adding an alarm to it. If I were a patent examiner, I wouldn't grant that.

I'm so bummed. It's bugged me all night wondering what this family brought. I was flipping back and forth between Last Comic Standing and American Inventor and missed what this dude's invention was. I came back in time only to see the judges comments and the family of inventors with some book-lookin thing. What's a hearing aid stablizer? And why would it be such a moving moment??

I think the Guardian Angel is a great IDEA. Too bad it already exists and has been patented. You can see these inventions at the United States Patent & Trademark website. Take a look at the drawings for patent numbers 5,031,702 and 4,830,114. This just goes to show you. American Inventor is a TV SHOW. Not a true invention competition. Best of luck to everyone and may Mr. Toilet Seat from Houston make millions.

Hi Car: 

The hearing aid stabiizer is something for kids to wear so that they can play without losing their hearing aid. His daugher is deaf and he built it for her.

The moving moment happened as the guy had gotten ripped off and paid $3000 for a patent search.  His family sacrified and went without heat and hot water to pay the $3000, and ate beans and eggs for his whole family. Peter generously decided to pay him the $3000 back.

 Hope now you can sleep tonight. :)

Go to www.americaninventor.t.v (Qeustions most Asked). Under what inventions do not qualify: No computer software programs. So the winner should be disqualified! And give the $50,000 to the next inventor runner up.

Let’s not be so negative toward the inventors. It’s a show and last year we heard the same arguments from other inventors who wrote in with bitterness because they didn’t get picked and it shouldn’t be this guy or that women because it exist already. You don’t have the details and you’re not an expert with inventing a product that sell millions or are you an executive producer of a TV show. Unless you walked in these shoes then you should learn to be more positive because this could be the reason you didn’t try out or were not picked in the first place.  Rules were changed last year during the show and the inventors in the final 12 dealt with it!  Attitude adjustment is in order.

I had an invention that had a small sharp edge and it wasn't allowed  at  the Tampa audtion. Last year a branch cutter was on T.V.. Tampa had a three wheeled lawn mower that moved on.  Also, already shown in the top three- a lawn mower with a sharp cutting blade. You could chop one of the judges heads off with these type of blades! So, they should be at least a little consistent. Don't you agree? I think they are liable if in writing they positvely are not allowed ;and then accept  some and not others!

Especially when they are a winner like the computer programming paper designed racers!

My answer to the computer guy as the winner. Now that we are into season two. All of the season 1 inventors were the guinea pigs and people riped the inventors when they didn't know what they were getting into because the show didn't alllow them to watch the show or talk with anybody. You know how the game is played on this show after the first season so don't blame the inventors for being chosen this year. They are just like you and me trying to capitalize on thier chance to have a dream happen. Go get it computer shcool teacher with your paper car!

I can't for the life of me figure out
what is so enticing about "Everything
is going to be all right" Therapy Buddy. It was
"frightening" last year and this year it is just
over kill! I didn't know that last years contestants
could re-enter this year! Oh well it is an interesting
show to say the least and I will be watching.

...if your invention is a cutting device, it should have a sharp edge, but if your invention is...say, some type of device that goes in your eye or mouth, or is something children use, it makes total sense that a sharp edge should disqualify it.

Look at the context of the disqualification before griping.

That's what the title of this show should be.. I'm really disappointed that a show that should be about innovation is all about products instead.. Almost all the products that have been shown over the past two episodes have been products, not innovative ideas. Things like Therapy Buddy (it's a talking doll. It reminds me of the little girls from The Shining) or the battery tester (there's already one out there). Even the paper RC cars.. It's a great product, but how is it an innovative invention? The guy with the wheelchair, as well as the cake pen, and the hearing aid attachment would be far more 'worthy' innovations, as they've never been seen before (to my knowledge). Out of ALL the contestants that showed up for LA and SF, the ones that were picked over the past two cities were the ONLY ones that were any good? It gives me hope that my ideas will have room to blossom.

Is there any way I could contact Mr. Michale Every?  His idea of a collapsible wheelchair could be very popular amoung the large 'community' of wheelchair users.  A light version of the wheelchair would be very useful for the elderly who have to lift wheelchairs into and out of automobiles.  I believe a major wheelchair manufacturer would be interested in funding Mr. Every, and many of his collapsible wheelchairs could be built.

Please give him my email address, or send me his if he has one for distribution.  Thank you.

Please see mobility-vision.com