Provisional Patents Don’t Exist
December 29th, 2009
By David M. DeMay In the inventor community, many possess a limited understanding of the U.S. patent process. One of the most common misunderstandings relates to the notion of a “provisional patent.” I’ve heard people say, “I have a provisional patent” or “I am protected because I have filed for a provisional patent.” Because of [...]
The balls of Loch Ness
December 28th, 2009
One of my favorite stories from 2009 was the renewed search for the legendary Loch Ness monster. As we’ve reported at various times, the late scientist, university lecturer, attorney and acclaimed inventor Robert Rines set his sights on finding Nessie in storied scientific expeditions in the 1970s. He captured some of the most compelling underwater [...]
Painful Lesson
December 27th, 2009
Test Before Placing That Tall Order Editor’s note: First Person is an occasional series of stories from inventors, written by inventors. By Oscar af Strom I’ve been working with image-transfer sheets since the 1950s that allow you to transfer pictures from magazines to t-shirts and such. I obtained U.S. patents in 1968 and 1971, and [...]
Want to Outsell the Rest? Add Some Zest
December 24th, 2009
By Brice Bunner Idea people possess intense focus, which enables them to tinker something ex nihilo into existence. Yet that same passion and focus often prevent them from seeing beyond the drawing board. It’s very rare, if ever, that an invention goes straight from the inventor’s napkin sketch to store shelves. There needs to be [...]
Press Your Luck
December 22nd, 2009
In the product development game, make smart moves to find a new direction By Jon Capriola Editor’s note: First Person is an occasional series of stories from inventors, written by inventors I’ve often said life is a lot like a game of chess, but in life you don’t necessarily wait for your opponent to make [...]
December 21st, 2009
The Hydrogen Education Foundation announced Designing a Hydrogen Community, the theme for the 5th annual Hydrogen Student Design Contest. The Hydrogen Student Design Contest challenges multi-disciplinary teams of university-level students from around the world to develop and design hydrogen applications for real-world use. The Contest showcases the talents of students in many disciplines, including engineering, [...]
Inventors Digest Youth Hall of Fame
December 20th, 2009
Inventors Digest respects, nurtures and honors young innovators. In recognition of outstanding achievements in creativity, social compassion and entrepreneurial zeal, we’re pleased to unveil the inaugural members of the Inventors Digest Youth Inventors Hall of Fame. The 2009 inductees were selected from teen and collegiate inventors featured in the magazine’s BrainChild section. They are: Max [...]
Thomas Edison earns a Grammy
December 19th, 2009
Thomas Edison received a posthumous Grammy award, an acknowledgment that his phonograph that spawned an entire industry. Marilou Johanek of the Toledo Blade notes, “When Thomas Alva Edison recited “Mary had a little lamb” into his phonograph, creating the first recorded sound the world had ever heard, it was a hit.” Read her article here. [...]
Adieu to the stars of Spark, Part III
December 18th, 2009
We Say Goodbye to 3 Inventor-Entrepreneurs Featured This Year In January 2009 we launched Spark, a yearlong hand-in-hand journey with three women inventor-entrepreneurs at different stages of their product-development cycles. What started as an experiment turned into an immersive, voyeuristic learning lesson for all involved – for the three subjects, for those of us at [...]
Harvard Business Review revamps site
December 17th, 2009
Inventors Digest editor makes his HBR debut Today marks an auspicious occasion in publishing on two fronts: After nearly a year in the making, Harvard Business Review launched its newly redesigned Web site. Harvard Business Review Online editor Eric Hellweg explains: “The main goal of this redesign is to bring together the two sites we’ve [...]
