inventaholic

Big Business Against Big Government?

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Fri, 9 Jul 2010 00:20:00 -0400

It amazes me that so many people blindly follow silly causes. Do you really want to “fight against Big Government”? Then why not move to Cuba. They have a very small government. One guy runs the whole show! Or visit North Korea where “Dear Leader” runs your life for you. Tiny Government is a dumb idea. Its like trying to save money by firing all the Police and Firemen. Very short sighted and no real financial savings.

But who is behind the “Down With Big Government” BS? Big Corporations! Just like criminals hate cops, Big Corporations hate Government. BP Oil and other BIG CORPORATIONS would love to play without rules or restrictions ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_corporate_scandals ). It is easier to dump their garbage in your backyard and let you pay to clean it up. They call that “externalizing expenses”. Meaning they take the profits and then you and I pay to clean their mess. Do you really think we can afford, as individuals, to let Companies control us... Free to do as they please without Rules or Regulations? (You can’t even get out of a cell phone contract and carriers are regulated, imagine what would happen without regulation)

If you want to fight for something, consider fighting for tariffs on imports. Make it cheaper to manufacture in the USA. China hates Big Government too. And they would hate tariffs. But I don’t really care about China. I care about the USA.

We used to make fine products. And those US Manufacturing jobs were good jobs. We had pride in what we made so we didn’t put lead in them or make them so cheap they’d break the first time we used them. Let’s pressure our government to give incentives to Manufacture in the USA in regulated markets so small business can work with the big dogs. That is what we need. Not more products with Big Business Names made in foreign countries that hate us.

Our Government is NOT forcing companies to manufacture overseas. Companies simply seek the cheapest labor and least regulated markets to operate in. Is that good for us? Only, if you want dollar store trinkets. I’m sick of junk products, I want JOBS! I want US MANUFACTURING JOBS. That is what you should fight for.

So next time a person says, “Big Government is Killing the Country” why don’t you point out how Big Business is killing our citizens ( http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml03/03119.html). And then tell them to FIGHT FOR “US MANUFACTURING JOBS”! Because nothing would help this country more than loads of great jobs.

Mashups are great fun. Here is a GTA / Frogger Mash.

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:19:00 -0500

Was Frogger really great? I found it boring. In the day, worth only a quarter or two of my arcade coinage. BUT a GTA Frogger would be great! And here is what it would look like. I'm going to Game Stop to reserve my copy!

Touché "Chris O'Shea" Giant Hand Molests People

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:24:00 -0500

Touché Chris O'Shea!

What do you get when you molest and squash live people with a Giant hand? We discover its a giggling crowd and lots of booty shaking. Very cool use of ultra-large screen and public curiosity. In this Art experience, by Chris O'Shea (ChrisOShea.org), we learn how much fun being the hand of God really is.

A video camera shows a live image of the audience, who are also participants, watching themselves on a giant screen. Antics ensue when a God-sized hand begins to poke, prod, squash and interact with them. W2G Chris!

Now if only I could get one of these to Washington. There are a few politicians I'd like to give major noogies to. A little squishing would work well too. Universal Single Payer Healthcare will help the economy. Its good for America and Americans!

Hand from Above from Chris O'Shea on Vimeo.

Windows 7: Does it Suck? Why I'm MAD AT MICROSOFT.

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:04:00 -0400

How stupid can one committee be? Last night, seeing ads from both Apple and Microsoft, I suddenly realized... there are NO limits! Consider the OS war between Apple and Microsoft. Apple has about 6.5% of the market and Microsoft around 89%. In the “dominance category” we have a clear winner. We know that most people use Microsoft’s Windows yet Microsoft can’t make an ad worth watching. Why? I believe the reason is... committees.

Apple’s recent ad, if you haven’t seen it, shows “PC”, a man dressed in a polyester suit, making the claim that Windows 7 fixes all the problems of the past. Then it shows “PC” in the garb of decades past, making the same claim for each previous version of Windows. Very effective at casting Microsoft as a group of vapid boneheads.

Microsoft’s answer? A series of ads showing “regular people” telling us “Windows 7 was [their] idea”. How stupid is that? Do you really want Uncle Morty designing your OS? Stupid! But this is the type of work-product that a committee thinks is brilliant.

Definition wise, a committee is a group of people assigned to a specific function. But in reality it is a group of people afraid to look silly to other committee members. So they champion the popular idea working feverishly NOT to venture too far away or take a stand that might seem risky. They stick together like frightened tourists, lost in the jungle, hoping to find their guide before they miss the buffet.

I can see the ad execs sitting around a table and saying, “what if we appeal to common people by pretending THEY made the OS. They can’t hate what they’ve made, right?” And the entire committee nods in unison like a bunch of cheap bobble-heads. Bingo, Windows 7 stupid ad is born.

You need vision to make a great ad or invent or solve a vexing problem. Committees don’t have vision. Each person’s fear tempers the idea until it is a wisp of what it could have been. Microsoft you should know that by now. You were once a startup who took chances and lived on the edge.

Microsoft needs a bold move to bring their product out of Apple’s toilet. Don’t get me wrong, I love Apple and I respect Microsoft. True, I switched to Mac several years ago but I run XP via Parallels on my Mac all the time. I need both companies to do what I do. But what gets me mad is how bad the new Microsoft ads are. Comparing Apple and Microsoft ads is like watching someone punch Grandma. No matter how much she deserves it, you still feel bad for Grandma.

The day of the committee should be over. But frightened Pseudo-Executives use them to cover their backsides if something goes wrong. I hate committees. I believe they cause most of the problems in this World. Committees are designed to temper ideas and give them a multidimensional perspective. A good intention but committees are composed of humans who let fear drive them. Fear kills great ideas.

The smarter amongst us need to shun committee-think and move this country ahead. Executives need to understand that now is the time of the individual. Give those of us with good ideas the ability to bring our ideas out! Stop plucking them apart in fear driven committees.

HEY MICROSOFT, yeah, I’m taking to you. You want a good ad campaign? Stop using committees. Here, I’ll design your ad campaign right now.

Picture this, I’m at my desk, no committee in site. Just a pencil and paper and I begin thinking. Hmm, I need a good slogan and a catchy offer. Thirty minutes later… bang.

Microsoft, here is your new ad campaign.

“Better than a Mac or your money back!”

Catchy, simple and tells the whole story. An entire series of useful and smart ads can be made that highlight how Microsoft uses cheaper hardware, has more software and runs well enough to be used by 89% of the market.

Then show why my Mac can’t connect to all the products that don’t have Mac drivers. And show people like me who can’t run software they desperately need on OSX so we use Bootcamp, Parallels or VMware. If Windows 7 works you’ll no longer need to eat crow in every Apple ad. In fact you’ll probably end up selling millions of licenses to Apple users who will install it on their Macs.

I’d respect this ad campaign and its brazen offer... “Better than a Mac or your money back!” tells us you know you have a great product this time.

And Microsoft, this is worth a fortune to you. How much did you pay Crispin Porter & Bogusky for the dumb “everyone else made Windows 7 so we don’t have to take the blame for it” ads? A big fortune right? Use my ad, I just want a small fortune.

This is an actual contract. Microsoft executes, you can print it out, execute it and send it back to me with a check and you’ve got your new ad campaign and spokesperson. Don’t worry, I’m really good. I sell my own products on live TV (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbkm8BlcPQk). If I can sell products I make I can certainly sell W7. And I can definitely present your products better than paid actors saying stupid things like “1 Billion = 7”.

Even better, the story will be on every media outlet in a few days. Can’t you see it? “Microsoft signs deal with an Advertising Nobody to get their first great ads in decades.” You’ll be edgy again. For you, Microsoft, this offer is worth considering.

Offer:

Perry Kaye (PERRY) agrees to license to Microsoft his copyrights in work titled “Better than a Mac or your money back!” including ads and slogans. For one year (TERM) from the date of the execution of this contract, Perry further agrees to give up his Mac and run his entire work and lifestyle computing needs on Windows 7 (W7). Perry further agrees to promote Windows 7 for the TERM and also to show why W7 is better than a Mac in a weekly webcast and at Microsoft events.

Consideration:

Microsoft agrees to pay to Perry a total sum of $10 Million US dollars for the above mentioned rights and services.

Acceptance:

____________________________________ Date ______/______/________

David Webster

Microsoft, General Manager for Brand and Marketing Strategy

Note: David may need a committee to review this contract. He would be considered a genius if he signed it and cut a deal with me. The press would be phenomenal. But if he uses a committee the fear will kill the idea and he’ll seek refuge in the arms of a committee and the CYA it offers.

The committee will kill it because it looks too risky. In actuality it’s not risky at all. The new “Better than a Mac” ads would tell people what 89% of the world already knows. Committees are too dumb to accurately asses risk. Proof? They’ll kill the “Better than a Mac” ads but release Vista with bugs. Any questions?

David may not be able to break away and sign this agreement. If that is the case then we need a bold Microsoft leaded to stand up and take the chance. Enter Steve Ballmer? If he has the balls to hire me he would look like a genius. (Please, someone get this article and offer to Steve Balmer before it is too late! My kids college tuition depends on it. And, I really can’t stand to see another muttonheaded Windows 7 ad.) So Steve, put your name on the line and get me a check and we’re in business!

____________________________________ Date ______/______/________

Steve Ballmer

Chief Executive Officer

It’s time. Microsoft, what’s your answer? Are you going to be the edgy smart company that Bill Gates and team built or are you going to keep licking Steve Jobs’ boots?

The choice is yours. Just stop offending and boring us with your stupid ads. We all know Aunt Mathilda and Uncle Morty did NOT make Windows 7. You did, so stand behind W7, make it work properly and make some decent ads about it. We’re better than your dumb ads make us look.

Slaying the Divas, Dragons and Dumbles BEFORE they kill your Tech Project!

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:45:00 -0400

Want to know why most Tech Projects fail? Then you'll enjoy this presentation which I gave at the Temple Tech group in Florida. In this discusion I reveal the Demons of Delivery and how you can slay them.

I also show you how to tell the difference between a Diva, Dragon and Dumble. Once you know the difference you can check and see if your a demon or a slayer.

Find out how to spot these trouble makers and complete your Tech/IT projects on time and on budget.

Click here to see the presentation.

Why people think inventor's are nuts...

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:27:00 -0400

Selling your invention, or not? It's up to you.

I've sold millions of dollars of my inventions and you can too, if you learn the way the system really works."

Me selling products on HSN (Home Shopping Network) a few weeks back.

Want to sell your inventions on TV? You'd think any inventor would LOVE to hear that but let me tell you a story about how inventors sometimes trip over their own shoelaces, again and again and again.

Inventors are most always nice and very well intentioned people, but often they don't understand how the system works. Let me give you an example. Recently I met a nice person, we'll call him Robert. He retired from his profession and following the smell of riches decided to invent.

How did I meet him you ask? He called me, as inventor's often do. Some inventors call for advice or to request financing. Other inventors call to shoot the breeze or simply to show me their invention and get a pat on the back. Robert was a mix of all these inventors. He had a product he filed patents on, registered trademarks and copyright on and even manufactured more than 20,000 units. I guess his total investment was about $200,000+.

What was he doing with his products? Just like most inventors, letting them take up space in his garage. He had almost the entire production run... sitting and waiting.

I looked at the product and immediately saw several mistakes. 1) Package was too big for product, 2) Package did not have even 1 photo of product in use, 3) flowery verbiage never told why anyone should but the product, 4) and etc...

But I liked the product. This is where my heart takes hold of my mouth. Do I tell the person about their mistakes and try to help them or do I just tell them they did a great job? I have to speak honestly but I do it gently to see the reaction. Robert, was receptive but not really. He felt the product was, "his baby", and wanted to get it sold for full price (even though no one was buying at his inflated price). He also didn't want to change the packaging because he put so much time into it (even though it was not selling the product).

I made him an offer. I said, "Robert, this week I am driving to meet the buyers at HSN again. I'll show them your product and if it sells I split the profit with you." (Typically licensing agents get a 50% split.) Robert was not sure. He was thinking about a future marketing event he was going to attend. I asked how many he sold at the last event like that and he told me about 1000 units. He also told me the event was a really long time ago. I could see he felt like he was parting with his baby. How can you sell your baby? You can't.

That is why most inventors invent for the chance of having a story to tell their friends and family. The story is worth more than the money. I left the meeting knowing eventually those 20,000 units would be discarded or donated. Sad. But it is why most inventors don't make money.

If your like Robert, don't call me. Please, tell your stories to your friends and family and enjoy the hobby. It's like bowing but with much more legal fees. But if you have a product you'd like to sell, feel free to call me. IF I like it I might be able to help you. If I can't I might know someone else who can. Bring me products NOT babies.

Cheers,
Perry Kaye
inventaholic.com

Electric Bodies...

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Thu, 2 Jul 2009 21:36:00 -0400

Here people mix bodies, electricity and motion. Lots of fun. Very creative. Useful? Who cares... A great mix of inventive juices.

One thing Inventor’s CANNOT SELL!

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:30:00 -0400

Last week was interesting. I met a person trying to sell something he did not own. Rare breed? No, the funny part of this story is that I meet these people all the time. They are good people who simply don’t understand the ownership. It sounds strange but it is a common mistake. And it causes inventors and investors to work under a cloud of seemingly endless strife.

Intellectual property is a strange beast but its methods of ownership are well documented. The problem understanding it is that people think they own an idea by just thinking it. They’ll say “That was my idea”, as if simply percolating a thought incarnates ownership in it. It’s not that simple. The path to acquire ownership in an idea is not complete upon the idea’s birth it is simply begun.

Before you can sell an idea you must own it. The best way to understand this is to consider a silly example coffee cart idea. And while it seems silly now, if you’re a Creative there’s a good chance you’ve tried to do this.

Bob asks you to sign his “Iron Clad Non-complete Confidentiality Agreement” and you refuse. Bob agrees to tell you his idea anyway.

Then the rest of the example goes like this. Bob has an idea to open the “Eiffel Tower Coffee Cart” at the base of the Eiffel Tower. He wants to sell you this idea for $1,000,000 and a 10% royalty (its always the magic $1,000,000 and 10%). The visions of Paris and the smell of Hazelnut Creme cloud your thinking for a second or two. Then you begin to ask Bob questions.

You: Bob, do you own rights to the name “Eiffel Tower Coffee Cart”
Bob: No.
You: Do you have a lease for a coffee cart at the base of the Eiffel Tower?
Bob: No.
You: Bob, have you developed a coffee cart?
Bob: No.
You: Do you own a brand of coffee you are trying to sell me?
Bob: No.
You: Bob, WTF!?!

Bob has as much ownership in his idea as he does in the Eiffel Tower itself. Bob is NOT Victor Lustig (The man who sold the Eiffel Tower for scrap without owning it)! Literally, Bob owns nothing. And this is usually where the investor tells Bob he has no interest and Bob begins to get paranoid about who will steal his idea.

But Bob does not know that ideas are worthless. Only property rights have value. If Bob could have answered yes to a few of the above questions your conversation may have moved ahead. The rights Bob owned could have given you an edge over competitors because rights enable you to stop others from competing against you. If Bob owned the lease for the cart at the base of the Tower Bob does not need to bother with non-compete agreements. Bob is in control. And control is a sign of ownership.

For Bob to gain ownership he invest time and money in the creation of rights. And he can do that in several ways.
TRADEMARKS: Bob could build a brand of Eiffel Coffee and acquire legal rights in it through Trademarks.
PATENTS: Bob could patent a new and unique Coffee Cart or a method for infusing Coffee with flavors in a new way, if possible.
COPYRIGHTS: Bob could create a series of TV Ads that become so viral everyone knows about “Bob’s Eiffel Tower Coffee Cart”
TRADE SECRETS: Bob could formulate a mix of coffee flavors that are so delicious people wait in-line naked in inclement weather to buy.
REAL ESTATE LAW: Bob could acquire an exclusive lease for a coffee cart at the base of the Eiffel Tower.

Any of these rights gives Bob an ability to control some aspects of his idea. And these rights can be legally transferred, i.e. SOLD. The more rights Bob acquires the easier it will be for Bob to seem credible when offering his “idea” for sale. In fact he’ll no longer be offering an “idea” for sale, he’ll be offering actual intellectual property rights for sale.

Will Bob make money? Working to gain ownership only guarantees that Bob will SPEND money. Acquiring rights is usually a costly venture without any guarantees. The trademarks and patents may be rejected, the lease may be too costly or not available and Bob’s unique coffee flavor my be not so unique. Even with the rights there is no guarantee Bob will make any money.

But without rights Bob is simply a noob trying to sell unicorns and fairy dust. I’m not going to discuss the quality of the rights in this article as that would expand the article into a book. Just understand that not all Trademarks/Patents are created equal. And realize that you must own things before you can sell them.

Makers Faire 09 was a Blast

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:37:00 -0400

Makers Faire is always a blast. And this year was amazing. The Mega-sized Tesla Coils would ring in every hour with giant lightning bolts, Sparkfun and Mitch Altman were teaching people how to solder, creativity was everywhere. Me, I was showing toy prototypes and playing. Kip Kay stopped by and filmed me for a Makers Weekend Project.

The sounds of Tech... Old tech that is! Enjoy.

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 09:51:00 -0400

The old equipment many of us cut our teeth on was heavy, had character (blue screens of death at the most fun moments) and made unique sounds. The original IBM 5150 Keyboard weighed 6 pounds and had a satisfying tactile click. And my Paper Tiger printer pounded out pages with enough noise to drown out low flying planes. While many of us looked to dampen noise someone has actually found a use for it. Enjoy this video.

Toby Jones is an INVENTaholic...

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:14:00 -0400

When you think BBQ do you think Foot Massage? Toby Jones does. His "Big Ass BBQ and Foot Massage" site/biz is a sign of his innovative self. I'll probably never go there, if it even exists, but I enjoy Toby's web commercials, website and have to admit his pros are kick'n too.

Stop by http://www.jonesgoodassbbqandfootmassage.com/ or his other site... http://www.jonesbigasstruckrentalandstorage.com/ for a great laugh and maybe even a tee shirt purchase.

This is the type of innovative marketing and business execution the major companies would never do. And I think it is exactly what we need more of. Imagine 10,000 BBQ and Foot Massage locations selling their "we'll fry anything for $5.99" goodness! Can you hear the economy beginning to move?

Small business need to be creative not only because they can but also because big business never will. Our only chance to reinvigorate the country is to encourage and undertake the work of small business. Kudos to you Toby! I'd tip my hat to you... but you might fry it. LOL

Keep up the great work. Everyone, let me know about other creative adventures you find. I'd love to see more.

Regards,
Perry Kaye
www.INVENTaholic.com

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:46:00 -0400

High Tech from Cooper City Florida, YES!

We're not 'The' Silicon Valley. Our silicon is on our Atlantic Ocean Beaches. But we do have some Tech going on (between the sun and the waves). A startup, called Linxter, is adding Clouds to our beaches. Cloud computing that is. Here is info about their startup. It looks impressive and even visionary. And there are rumors that Microsoft and Google are sniffing around them too. Check them out here...

Press release hi here... http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/04/prweb2318274.htm

Your Chances are between Slim and None

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Mon, 6 Apr 2009 17:25:00 -0400

Most inventions never make a penny. Which means, your invention's chance of success is between Slim and None. Not to say you should quit! I'm suggesting quite the opposite. Great innovation involves an awesome idea, time, luck and persistence. Unfortunately, most people just want to count the money. But an INVENTaholic, like you, knows that money comes much later in the process.

Because most inventions fail, you must fight failure by creating many inventions. As many as you can. See which innovations people gravitate to. Which are duds and which need work. The more the merrier. Keep making ones that fail until you find the ones that succeed.

Because chances being between Slim and None is far better than no chance at all.

Squeeze Bacon? Now we need Squeeze Lettuce and Bread.

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Thu, 2 Apr 2009 08:21:00 -0400

This is a funny product/prank. "Squeeze Bacon" is made of 100% bacon? Who knows, maybe one day, 20 years from now, we will be bidding up vintage bottles of Squeeze Bacon on eBay. Real or imitation, it is still a bottle of fun to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT2FIL7Uv4M

All dreamers are not created equal

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:55:00 -0400

I learned, over a bowl of Kashi ‘U’, that dreamers are not valued based on the quality of the dream. We’re valued based on the number of people who think our dream is cool. Inequitable? I think so. But at present it is our reality. And as a dreamer, I ask, “Wouldn’t we be better off if we valued contribution over pop-culture bling?”

Why are Rock-stars and Supermodels more revered than innovators who cure disease, create industries and let you clap lights on and off? True, a great guitar riff with tuneful lyrics is entertaining. But is it really that much better than inventions like light bulbs and LEDs, the Leathermen Wave or discoveries like penicillin. Why aren’t there Inventor Groupies? It just feels like the populous response is disproportionate. Why do we cheer the rock-stars and only gawk at the inventors?

Recently, I got a glimpse of an answer from a TV show. I was sitting, on my couch, with my bowl of 7 whole grain flakes and black currants. I was too many steps from the remote so I watched what was on. The show? A “reality” show called, “Make Me a Supermodel”.

I understand the appeal of being a Supermodel. Money, fame and exotic locations make it a fun romp. But I also get the feeling that I am missing something. With all the great causes in this wonderful world, why set your sites on being a Supermodel?

This particular episode, shown on the Bravo Network, centered about “the runway”. Hopefuls ‘walk’ the catwalk while judges critique. A critique of walking, really? I thought it was silly too, but I watched. I wanted to know if I’d been doing it wrong all these years.

A montage of striking people ‘walked’ across my TV with varying degrees of style and grace. And strangely, I too could see who ‘walked’ better. Some looked natural, some stilted and others confident. Apparently, there is some science/art behind all the walking. But then I think, “what does it matter?”

So Supermodel, what difference do you make? Do you change the world in any positive way or does only your world benefit? Do you make any contribution by ‘walking’ better than I can?

Am I missing something? How many of us have ever been helped by a Supermodel? Few, that I know of.

Most of us have, however, been helped by inventors. Invention is about contribution. Innovators create things that make a difference. People feel the impact. And that’s why I believe Inventors are better than Supermodels.

I’m not saying modeling is an evil pursuit or that seeking to achieve Supermodel status is appalling. What I am saying is people should dream up new products while they fantasize about being a Supermodel or Rock-star.
Few people become Supermodels but everyone can invent. Today, more than ever, America needs more inventors. And the truth is inventors need cheering fans. Let’s work to make inventing as glamorous as ‘walking’.

I suggest you consider starting a robot competition at your local school like my friend Scott did. He’s no robot genius, he simply used SumoBots from www.Parallax.com. The kids build their own robots and the battles begin.

Or bring your skills to your schools. I show school children how to invent. One of my inventions is the ColorCutter® Cutter www.ColorCutter.com. Which means I have an arsenal of felt tip marker parts in my shop. Each year I bring marker parts and ink to classes and teach doe-eyed children to make markers.

Then everyone makes one, even the teacher. I hear children say, “It works!”, “ ‘I’ made this”, “I want to invent stuff” along with hoots and giggles. They leave with a feeling of accomplishment, a working marker and knowledge. More fun than walking the catwalk? Maybe. More substantial, useful and realistic, definitely.

We’ll all benefit by teaching the skill of inventing much more than if we focus on teaching how to look cool while you walk. IMHO…

Perry Kaye
www.inventaholic.com
www.colorcutter.com
www.jumbojackpot.com
www.gizmoline.com

Philanthropic-Invention (Superman does not take Visa)

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Tue, 3 Mar 2009 00:47:00 -0500

Invention is not always about money. For many of us inventing is primarily the quest for discovery and advancement. Fun seeking also plays a major roll. No, it’s not always about profit. Because attempting to monetize every inventive product is silly. Superman does not require a Visa Card before he’ll rescue you.

And right now, the World needs an ocean of Super-men/women (i.e. heroes) who help first and worry about money later. How do we inspire philanthropic inventaholics?

I often wonder about this. And recently I had an opportunity to discover my own answer. I think I may even have become an inventaholic-hero. Maybe, “hero”, is a bit strong. And this tale is not epic by any measure. But I do feel I’ve made a contribution to at least one person. And maybe through this article I'll help more people. Some by inspiring inventaholic philanthropy and others by giving them back the ability to draw/write again (explained just below, read on). The answer seems to be in the understanding that creative people have a responsibility to create, at least some of the time, for the common good.

My story begins with a diagnosis. A family friend was having medical problems and no one knew why. After a long and hellish series of cars, planes and waiting-rooms she heard the words “Ehlers-Daniels syndrome” (http://tinyurl.com/c2vcw3). I’ll spare you all the details and tell you in a nutshell that EDS screws with your body’s collagen production. Effectively, it turns your tendons from rubber-bands into limp spaghetti.

As you can imagine anyone with EDS has a horrid time performing everyday tasks. Is there a cure? No. And, unfortunately, most drug companies focus only on the high-profit drugs. If too few people need help, drug companies don't care. Time and again we see companies placing profits first and people second. But it does not need to be like this. We (budding heroes) can make a difference.

I was over my friend’s house when I discovered she could get around reasonable well, with a $20,000 wheelchair, but could not use a pencil. I was shocked. How could anyone be deprived of the ability to write a note or draw a doodle? I sunk in my chain.

Then I realized she needed help. I determined the task of writing/drawing can be broken down into two parts. To draw you must 1) hold the writing instrument in a correct orientation and also 2) move it along a set path. If you can’t do both you simply create meaningless scribbles.

Many people, whose challenges affect their dexterity, can’t orient and hold the pen well. But if they can move a wheelchair joystick, they might be able to guide a positioned-pen along an intended path.
The next day, I went into the nearest phone-booth (my bedroom closet) and put on my Super Hero Suit (free t-shirt from Makers Faire San Mateo 2008 and ripped jeans).

Then I sped off to my West-side Laboratory (Wal-Mart). Where I bought a cheap ballpoint-pen with an advantageously tapered barrel and a spatula with a thick handle. Since I don’t have X-ray vision or super human strength I too must purchase for my Bat-belt at Wal-Mart, Sears, Home Depot, Lowes and Radio Shack. Just like you.

In my shop I procured a lock-nut sized to fit the pen. Its I.D. is such that it screws onto the barrel just below the midsection of the pen.

The spatula was then clamped to my drill-press’ table and drilled. The clamps are arranged so spatula is held in the same orientation it will be in when used. Here the drill-bit is coincident with the final location of the pen.

The pen is inserted into the hole from the bottom. The nut keeps if from sliding all the way through the handle. Here you see how it is used.

To make the PenRight more user friendly teflon tape is added allowing it slide better and also to protect work surfaces. Foam is added, using spray adhesive, to make it more comfortable to use.

Shortly after the pen is delivered I get a phone call and a heartfelt thank you. For the first time, in a long time, my friend can again wright and draw. I straightened my mask, get into my supercar and drive to buy a celebratory Mocha Frapachino. A hero? Maybe for just the day. A great feeling of contribution? Absolutely.

One more note. The ball point acts as a bearing and allows the pen to flow smoothly. The spatula acts as a spring allowing the user to engage or disengage the pen simply by applying or removing slight pressure.

Play & Work MAKES US ALL THUMBS!

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:25:00 -0500

We once used varied and intricate movements to routinely manipulate objects. Play involved touching, feeling and building. Toys like Jenga bricks, Silly Putty, Pick-up Sticks and even classic ABC blocks frequently titillated our digits. Now, we’re all thumbs.

I know, our thumbs separate us from the monkeys. But think about what we use them for. We spend hours each day killing X-Box Creatures, driving an Italian plumber in his cart, dialing phones, texting emoticons and textcronyms and poking a space bar. Our thumbs are so imprecise we’ve had to make the spacebar literally 5 times the size of a normal letter key. (at least that’s what my Macbook Pro proves). Why are we so thumb-centric?

Are we destined to be slaves to our thumbs? Not if fellow inventaholics focus on the Body-Product interface. As an inventor I strive to implore new uses of ordinary objects. I also spend time thinking about how our bodies can/should interface with those objects. Every product at some point in its life interfaces with humans. Shouldn’t that experience be enjoyable.

Here is a prototype of a new type of RC Car I invented. It’s called “BongoCargo” and its name speaks for itself. I replaced the thumbtroller with Bongos and find it a blast to play with. Same RC goodness with new whole-hand flavor!

It was built using a $15 RC Car from Radio Shack, a Basic Stamp Education Board also from Radio Shack and a circuit board and relays also from… heck, I got all the parts at Radio Shack!

It was a simple and fun build. If enough people are interested, email or comment, I’ll post the schematics and source code.

Enjoy the Video. I’m planning on bringing it to Makers Fair in San Mateo. Come play with it or build your own and we can play together. As always, I’m glad to answer any questions so ask away.

You have an idea? Welcome...

perry@colorcutter.com (Perry Kaye) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 02:18:00 -0500

America was once spattered with an army of masons, cobblers, blacksmiths and farriers. Workers who created the tools they needed because there was no Home Depot. These people defined themselves by their work and earned a sense of pride performing it. Even Doctors where once craftsman. They visited their patients and performed 'miracles' using candlelight and crude tools. Miracles? Maybe. But more practical is the thought that passionate beings seeking solutions are wellsprings of ideas.

Reading about inventors one may think, they are a lucky lot or that they're imbued with magical powers. But the real secret is that inventors are ordinary people. We're just a little more technically attuned and passionate about what we do. And that gives us, meaning you and me, an opportunity to discover new tools/techniques to advance our craft. We know there is a better way and we seek to expose it.

America has always been a fertile haven for inventive people. Ideas are listened to, maybe not bought into, but certainly listened to. And that is more than can be said about many other countries. In America you can try your idea and see if it works. And inventing is easy... the only thing holding most of us back is our lack of building knowledge and skill.

You've probably already invented a few things too because as humans our minds work to solve. We see a problem and our brain tells us, "I wish I had a tool that did..." And for many the tool never makes it passed the wish.

That is why I've created inventaholic.com. Here I will reveal techniques, tools and strategies for you to innovate, prototype and build products. The goal is to give everyone the tools needed to innovate and then see what happens.

Not everything will be successful. It's a bumpy road, for sure, but it is a fantastic ride. And one I hope you'll venture upon because in the end it is most rewarding.

My next post is about a new RC Car I invented that works using Bongos. See the video and learn how I created it. If you like this post or have questions, feel free to contact me or post them here.

Regards,
Perry Kaye
inventaholic#1