Staples Invention QuestStaples has notified the semifinalists of the 2007 Invention Quest...sort of. In a clear attempt to generate more publicity for the 07 event, they have included this year a round of semi-semi-finalists, or "nominees" who get their names in local papers, but not much else. In this post, Tim Whitney leans on his experience as 2005 Invention Quest finalist to discuss why this may not be a good thing. Read on for the rest of the scoop on the 07 Invention Quest. read more »

American Inventor provides an update to inventors interested in auditioning which says :

Thank You for Your Interest in American Inventor!!!

We would like to inform you that our website has been updated (please go to www.americaninventor.tv). read more »

Got the middle-age blues.
Can't drive, forgot my drivers
Can't read, lost my readers
Gotta feel my way around the keyboard,
My whole life's just one big blur.
Got the middle age blues.

Dang glasses, wherever you are,
get lost! I'm gonna change my
eyes for a brand new pair! read more »

Once in a while you come across a product that is incredibly ingenious, and well, obvious. This leads me to the usual head-knocking thought, “Why didn’t I think of that?” read more »

Looking for a new twist on cutlery?

Our Guest Blogger, Aditi Simlai Tiwari, is a never tiring, full time mother of two and part time writer. She is
always looking for newer things to do and newer ways to do them in. She found some great items for the home that she wanted to share with readers of AmericanInventorSpot.com.

Here's her article: read more »

Hi All:

We're pleased to announce the arrival of two new Featured Bloggers to our site:

The first is Mia Levine. Mia spent the last ten years in the high tech industry, but recently left the frenzy of the corporate world and traded it for the chaotic, yet gratifying world of raising, taming, and nurturing her two girls.  She’ll focus on innovative inventions for kids and parents. read more »

The second is Boomer Babe. Boomer Babe will be writing about cool new products for the gracefully aging boomer and the saucy senior. She has prepared editions of Handicapping Conditions and Related Services and Technology for the Handicapped for the U.S.Department of Education and various handbooks on disabling conditions for the National Institutes of Health. More...

This Sunday, on the LifeTime Television show Health Corner hosted by Leeza Gibbons, Jodi Pliszka, inventor of Headline-It and one of the top twelve finalist on the American Inventor television show, will be featured at 9:30 a.m. / 8:30 a.m. central. Please make sure to catch the show if you can.

Jodi Pliszka is our special Guest Blogger today. In anticipation of the upcoming auditions for Season Two of American Inventor, she had some helpful advice for inventors interested in auditioning.

Here's her article: read more »

Wish the air filter in your car worked better?

Our Guest Blogger, Matt Bobryk, is an advertising writer who just so
happens to be a certified gear head and obsessed with anything with a
motor in it. He wanted to share some of the latest innovations in car design with the readers of AmericanInventorSpot.com.

Here's his article: read more »

Looking for a lovely way to organize your house?

Our Guest Blogger, Aditi Simlai Tiwari, is a never tiring, full time mother of two and part time writer. She is always looking for new things to do and newer ways to do them in. She found some great items for the home that she wanted to share with readers of AmericanInventorSpot.com.

Here's her article: read more »

According to the official American Inventor Television Show website, the Auditions for American Inventor are scheduled to take place starting March 2007, in the following cities:

LOS ANGELES
SAN FRANCISCO
CHICAGO
NEW YORK
ORLANDO
HOUSTON

These auditions venues are going to be confirmed at a later date so please check back here at AmericanInventorSpot.com to get the latest information. More...

  read more »

It's hard work being an inventor!Patent, schmatent. You don't need one right now. You want to just get your idea to market! Ok. I am finally turning my attention to the entrepreneurs among you. I warn you I'm not letting you totally off the patent hook, but I sympathize with your impatience. Actually, my most successful products, those in the Nukkles® line, were marketed while I was in the patent process, and I used the money from their sales to pay for the patent! But whether you eventually decide to go for a patent or not, if you're serious about getting your product on the market, you will have to put on the entrenpreneur's cap sooner, I advise, rather than later. So, let's get started! read more »

In my last gift guide, Green Gifts for Lovers, I introduced you to gifts for couples. Today I am excited to add theses environmentally friendly gifts for children. From the awesome H-car fueled by hydrogen to the education bamboo-made game that takes speed and coordination to win, kids can continue to have fun and you can sleep well at night knowing that while you protect your kids from harmful chemicals and toxins you are also helping the environment. read more »

If a simple box of chocolates or a measly bouquet of flowers won't suffice this Valentine's Day (and it most likely won't), consider spicing up this V-Day by whisking your loved one off to one of these truly intriguing and awe-inspiring hotels found around the world. These aren't your every day Holiday Inn or even Waldorf Astoria. No, these hotels are the cream of the crop in architectural design and conception and will guarantee that your stay is one to remember. They're worth the extra expenses in travel costs, because if you surprise your sweetheart with a trip to say, Dubai, you'll get reimbursed ten fold. read more »

What do dresses, condoms, AIDS and charity have in common? A talented 35-year-old Brazilian artist (once Greenpeace activist) named Adriana Bertini. In an attempt to raise AIDS awareness and inspired by HIV-positive children she met while volunteering at an AIDS prevention group (GAPA), she has designed, -over the span of ten years- dresses, skirts and suits made entirely of quality test rejected condoms.

What's her message? "Condoms must be basic like a pair of jeans and so necessary like a great love". read more »

Last year, a Napa Valley woman created beer for dogs from malted barley, water, and “beef flavor.” It’s called Happy Tail Ale and a six-pack retails for $8.99 at stores across the country. However, the Happy Tail Ale now has an import rival for the dog with a discerning palate. To find out how to treat your pet to a special indulgence, read on. read more »

For 15 years, the Collegiate Inventors Competition has recognized and encouraged undergraduate and graduate students on their quest to change the world around them. The Collegiate Inventors Competition has rewarded and encouraged hundreds of students to share their inventive ideas with the world. It promotes exploration in invention, science, engineering, technology, and other creative endeavors and provides a window on the future technologies from which society will benefit in the future. read more »

 After you have reviewed, assimilated, and discussed the results of your patentability opinion with your patent attorney, you will have enough information about your idea to make some informed decisions about the direction of your invention.

 Having that information gives you a real sense of accomplishment and power. From this point until your product is selling, you get to feel power and accomplishment... ah... not that many times. So enjoy it!

 Here's a glimpse into what to expect from the full patent process, as well as ways you can use the patent work you've already done to get more marketing information... also crucial to your decision to go for the full patent.

  read more »

This inventive ad is to help promote Gold's Gym.

Stickers showing two muscular arms were pasted outside the lift doors. Another sticker showing the torso of the body builder with arms stretched was pasted on the inside of the lift wall. When the lift door opened, the arms parted and looked as if the man is forcing the door open.

The stats from Ads of the World are:

Agency: Quadrant Communications ltd.
Copywriter: Amit Acharekar
Art director / Illustrator / Photographer: Sandeep Poyekar
Creative Director: Paul Menacherry

What do you think?

  read more »

Will the next best toy inventor be your kid?

Enter your child's Toy or Game into the 2007 Invent-A-Toy World Games. The contest is now until April 6, 2007.

ByKidsforKids is looking for ‘Toys’ or ‘Games’ inventions in these categories: read more »

Joost (pronounced “juiced”) is breaking the rules – it’s pushing the boundaries of how we watch TV, so we’ll get outside our dens and bedrooms and into the wider world. How so? According to Joost’s founders they’ve created the next big thing in home entertainment: Internet TV. Since these same men also created Kazaa, one of the pioneering popular music sharing web sites, and the free Internet telephone system, Skype, people are taking this latest announcement seriously. read more »