DOUG HALL BLOGGED LIVE- Hi folks -- I've answered some of the questions posted to get things going... - Doug Hall

What was the hardest decision you ever had to make on the show?

Hi Doug:

I am really impressed that you are out here at American Inventor Spot with us fellow inventors. I think this iste has really been a gift for us inventors.

Will you be blogging here again? I can't believe they got you here.

I personally would love to hear your thoughts once your inventors have been up. Maybe come in the next night and talk about it in greater detail.

Have you ever weeped pitching an idea, or do most inventors do this? Or is it just the format of the show that did this?

I usually fly out of Dayton. Air Tran seems to be a more cost effective way to go. But then you have to do the Orange Barrel Polka up I-75.

The simple answer -- in my estimation is that no one had the time to do it.

It is true that the masses respond to the emotional stuff. It makes me gag at times. And any time I gag -- I get in trouble.

I'm very hopeful for next year -- to get more stuff up -- that's why we worked the doughall.com web site so quickly. We've taken over a million hits on it.

My staff is working on an audio case study archive from the radio show to put up that's easily searchable. This last friday we did Friday Freebies and answered calls from inventors -- those will be posted as well

Just want you to know those are really appreciated, possibly better than the show itself.

For the final 12, did you each pick 3 (of the 24) or was it narrowed to 12 and then divided?

How come the edible snowglobes didn't move forward?

I've never cried pitching an invention.

I've never cried on the set.

I did cry one time -- when watching the "Mr. Know It All Segment" when the flag came up -- as I mentioned my forefather -- I laughed so hard I cried. As did my wife.

Hey Doug:

I think this is really nice of you. Are you going to come here again?
Are you now a "regular" guest blooger or was this a one time ting?

Had you seen this site before blogging tonight?

Hey Doug:

I think this is really nice of you. Are you going to come here again?
Are you now a "regular" guest blooger or was this a one time ting?

Had you seen this site before blogging tonight?

Did the judges get to pick which three people they wanted to guide/mentor? how did you get your three (which I think are also the best)?

This was bizarre -- she also had a cake kit that I actually liked better -- but what you saw was the SnowGlobes.

Why it didn't go forward...it's hard to say...can anyone guess what's in Peter, Ed and Mary Lou's head....

In my case I was looking for PROBLEMS -- and yes it's a problem getting a cake done so that it looks good. And she has an answer. I also think she'll have a good business. In my judgement -- others were stronger.

Yes I'd seen the site a couple times. As well as some of the others.

I've mostly stayed away until the decision on the top four. I didn't want to be influenced -- I wanted to vote what I believed was right -- not what was popular on the web.

I think that the web stuff is one of the coolest parts of the show. I also really appreciate folks sending me info on products that existed. I put up a call for them and got tons. Many I'd seen -- but some I hadn't. Thank you.

Did you know that the Snowglobe Lady was featured last December on the Food Network? Unfortunately, I can't remember exactly which show it was....

when the judges were picking the final 12. ABC shows a clip about you saying that you were willing to stake your reputation on that invention. The rest of the judges agreed to include it in the final 12. Will we ever find out which invention you were willing to stake your reputation on?

And to be pointed in the right direction if you're a newbie inventor.

I know that I got who I wanted. In fact you got to see my fight with Peter over it. He was very much against all 3 of mine (such little vision the boy has -- and can you believe those suits - he has them custom made for him - doesn't he know that suits are so out of fashion these days)

I'm not sure if the other judges got who they wanted or not -- there was a two part process -- a debate on the final 12 (that actually took a lot longer than you saw -- if you looked close you saw my clothes and glasses change in the middle) -- it was debated at night and the next morning.

I tried to make a list of things that got at least 3 votes but didn't make the finals, and its amazing how many went virtually (or completely) unaired. Any thoughts on:

Video Gift Box
Wheeled Tool Chest
Scrubblade
Kitty Glove Keyboard
Video clothing

(or any others)?

Ooohh, I so want you to come back. I can't believe you are talking to us live. I personally feel blessed that you are here taking the time to talk to us. Thanks and please come back.

into the final 12?

I believe you will -- because Mr. Jones -- makes a comment about it. He couldn't let me get away with a challenge like that. Stay tuned.

Is Mary Lou as much as a .......well, you know....as they make her out to be?

1. Is 50k enough to get an idea created as on the show? or did abc just have a connection for deals? Is 50k sufficiaent to bring an idea on paper to reality?

2. What city had the best ideas in your opinion? Do you think location inspires creativity?

3. Are the contracts to the inventors as ridiculous as I have heard? Something about them not really getting anything out of the inventions besides tehh million.

Take a Seat and Trailer Tower were both very close.

Given the incredible engineering -- I would have to give the "coin flip" to Trailer Tower.

Now can I go 2 out of 3.

Doug,

I'm impressed that several of the inventors in the final 12 already have patents. Did the judges take that into consideration? Was a patent or pending application a criteria for selection? Did anyone advise the contestants of the IP rights?

Thanks!

I think the Inbrella is a great idea (assuming you could actually get it to work they way you want it to). do you think if she had more than 30 days to get her prototype working, the results may have been different.

1. Is 50k enough to get an idea created as on the show? or did abc just have a connection for deals? Is 50k sufficiaent to bring an idea on paper to reality?

yes it's more than enough for a prototype (especially given that the other judges have no idea about engineering)

2. What city had the best ideas in your opinion? Do you think location inspires creativity?

I'm going to get in trouble for this one. But I kept records of all people -- I rated all inventions. And in the final 50 rated all inventors and presentations (on a 10 point scale) -- The winner was San Francisco.

Yes I believe that there are locations that help encourage creative thinking. See Richard Florida's book RISE OF THE CREATIVE CLASS for details.

3. Are the contracts to the inventors as ridiculous as I have heard? Something about them not really getting anything out of the inventions besides tehh million.

The contracts are pretty standard Reality TV contracts. That said - -who said that we have to follow "the standard"

It's sad, but I just can't get enough of this show. As someone in a comment above stated, there were snips and clips of things that we never really saw. And... well... I feel cheated. Maybe the guys at ABC are reading this blog too, and will make sure next season a few of the bugs are fixed.

So then why, in your opinion, haven't we seen any
footage of these 2 inventions? I will check out both websites to learn more, only because you've
spoken about them tonight. Otherwise, I wouldn't have EVER thought to google them.

Your thoughts?

I love this idea.

I thought she did a great job in the time allowed.

It's a real invention that solves a real problem.

To those who say it's not TINY -- get over it -- it's made for cars -- not pocketbooks

Hiya Doug, just wondered if you and the other judges were helping with the selection of the people who made it to LA, there were a lot of inventions that didn't get there including mine, oh well ,but a lot of the ones that didn't make it are probably good inventions, was it ABC that controls what is put on the show?, I just think of the bad yeses that I saw from you and the other judges that make me believe that this show is just TV and nothing else, You said yes to PAPER,

Whose your favorite of the other jusdges, the one who you think most gets it?

My guess is -- bad judgement on the part of the producers. Simon admitted to me that he didn't know anything about inventions. He does music and he does TV.

Clearly he's the PT Barnum of TV -- but the Paula of Inventions

For the poster who had to google the two great inventions, all you needed to do was look in our Invention Gallery. They are featured there, and linked to their websites, along with other really GREAT inventions.

Ed's the funniest

Mary Lou is the most annoying (I think she does it to me on purpose some times)

Peter's clearly the most experienced.

We actually all get along pretty well off screen. As well as any disfunctional family gets along. However when we get in those chairs -- mysterious things happen.

piss you off that so many crappy ideas were moved forward for purely entertainment value and the pure intention of the producers knowing that the invention would get ripped apart?

It pisses me off. As an auditioner in NYC I saw a few of the people who made the cut to the second round LA auditions. You know, the fake round, where they make the viewing audience THINK it's the first round. But it's not. And... everyone, even the PAs knew certain inventions were HORRIBLE. Yet, guess what, they were moved through. Like the guy with the urinal body bag. The poor guy was sent to LA only to be the very first person on the show - and to be ridiculed.

Granted, the idea was stupid as all hell. But, the producers flew him out. And that was just plain mean.
Then again, I read the contract, and it said quite plainly that they could cut,edit and make up stuff however they felt fit, that could cause irreprable harm to one's life.

Hey Doug, is you next book still on schedule for September?

The truth will set you free. Thank You for the freedom to feel like an AMERICAN INVENTOR.

Doug I write a regular feature here on american inventor spot. It's called prototyping 101. I hope you get a chance to read it. I know that the show has to be entertaining, if it wasn't then nobody would tune in. And every inventor realizes that we need all the exposure we can get. But I don't think that all the crying and moaning that goes on on the show, is giving a very good impression of inventors to the american public. And the big prize is sure to draw out the fringe inventors that might make for good TV. But at what cost to the rest of us. Is the show going to try and tone down some of that. Or is it going to get worse. thanks William

Doug my question to you why is there so much attention on your web site about the "Gobagger" This was never addressed on the show. Are you affiliated with this product? Besides that when did this other product get into the competition the real question lies with Ed's decision.The easiest way to put it.The Sackmaster has human value,The inbrella has personal value,The Catch pole has some athletic value.You put them in order.

- I am an inventor, and have a great idea, but do not know how to bring it to market. Should I audition for the show, or are there better ways to brig it to market.

- You mentioned in SF, the show will not impress REAL inventors. Why is this? There is also the History channels invention series, but they seem to focus more on engineering and scientific inventions that everyday tv people would not understand.

- What Inventions are you allowed to say you had a part in, that ALL housholds own and love..you can name the 15+ if you wish.

Hey -- it's REALITY TV -- it's Simon Cowell -- what did you expect. Real theater?

Yes it annoyed me immensly to sit for 12 hours a day to sit and watch obvious foolishness.

That said -- I'm very proud of my 3 inventors. They're real people who are solving real problems. Only one cried -- Januse and he is in my opinion the ONLY contestant who had a right to cry.

If there is a next season, and ABC decided to add another judge, what's type of person do you think they should look for? another inventor?

Amen brother!

You mentioned in discussing the possibility of a Season 2 that the network needs to see how it goes.

What would have to happend for there to be a season 2 or not happen?

Are there any quantitative criteria that will be applied?

Thanks,

Amused and Bemused

doug-- you spoke movingly about your young daugher at one point, when you gave your vote to a non-invention-- the paper lady. how did you daughter feel to see you leering at the naked stirpper? i've seen the segment both times that it ran and if i were you i would be ashamed to come home. well>

- I am an inventor, and have a great idea, but do not know how to bring it to market. Should I audition for the show, or are there better ways to brig it to market.

It's your choice. Being on a reality TV show is a risk. There are clearly better ways to go then being one of thousands. I would suggest going to your local library and getting some books.

- You mentioned in SF, the show will not impress REAL inventors. Why is this? There is also the History channels invention series, but they seem to focus more on engineering and scientific inventions that everyday tv people would not understand.

It's REALITY TV -- that means the most important thing is entertainment. it's not about the cool stuff that get's engineers, entrepeneurs and inventors excited about.

- What Inventions are you allowed to say you had a part in, that ALL housholds own and love..you can name the 15+ if you wish.

That's not the way my contracts read with the mega corporations.

Ok... so I have an invention. And a rocksolid patent. Yet someone either on purpose, or by mistake, is selling my exact same idea on the internet. And probably in stores. Now what?

I could sue them. But that costs money. Which I don't have enough of. And I heard it could cost tens of thousands of dollars. Should I approach them to license my idea?

And all that said, what would stop any manufacturer from ripping off something they saw on the show? If it's not yet patented and on the air, then the inventor loses all rights to the invention. Correct?

Good Evening Doug, Thanks for coming.
Submitted by BobLoveland on Sun, 2006-04-23 17:04.

Love the show, and looking forward to Season II. (Hint hint)

I'm curious about the entry process of the show. Did you and the other judges have to screen ALL the entries or was there a process to help weed out any of the absolutely absurd products, or were there multiple panels of judges and your team had the final say so?

Any idea of how many entries there were in the competition?

Did you see anything that didnt make it as an entry that you thought.. Hmm I want one of those..

Finally, if it were your decision to make, would you allow previous participants to re-enter into the competition for season 2 if there was one?

For example, if someone's prototype had some problems and didn't win.. What if between seasons the issues were resolved. Do you think that participant should be granted a second chance?
=================================================================================

Pricing, is there a magic formula?
Submitted by BobLoveland on Sun, 2006-04-23 18:09.

Any input on the pricing process of a product? Is there a magic formula that seems to work?

For example, I see that Mark Martinez sells his invention on SackMaster2000.com for $49.95. Do you find that products are just given one of those magic $?.95 price amounts or is there typically a formula based on profit percentages, or is it just whatever the market will bear?

Take for example, the cute little restroom door clip, it seems something like that would be most likely $2.95, $3.95 or $4.95. Are we as a bunch of consumers just brainwashed into those amounts and the pricing is randomly picked or is it something else?
===============================================================================
Product Name confilicts
Submitted by BobLoveland on Sun, 2006-04-23 18:20.

I'm curious, I was just searching on the net for Inbrella just to see what would come up, and found that there is a company using the Inbrella name on a product or service already. See www.inbrella.com
Does this mean that the inbrella product name would be off limits for Sheryl to use and would need to come up with another name, or is it possible to still use a product name already in use?

=================================================================================

Thanks,
Sorry if I posted twice in same place

niche vs lasting.
Did the shows have a criteria on the "lasting" product? many of the things seemed like lava lamps, hot for a few years, then dead the rest. an opnion?