The Edison Awards are inspired by Thomas A. Edison, perhaps America's most famous inventor of all time. Edison's work is how all other advances in technology and inventions are measured. His inventions were marketed all over the world. A smart businessman and effective manager, Edison had enormous talent for moving his inventions from his laboratory to stores throughout our country. Edison's creativity continues to provide insight as meaningful today as it was a hundred years ago. While Edison's genius helped form many of the inventions of the modern world, his greatest invention may well have been the first industrial research laboratory for the purpose of producing inventive products that people want. As one of the most brilliant inventors and entrepreneurs of modern times, he shaped not only industrial America during the time he lived, but also has greatly influenced the world we live in today. The Edison Awards recognize achievement in innovation in many different areas from Home Living to Medicine to Engineering. After nominations are received, a committee selects those that go on to be finalists. From that group, the Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners are selected. It is a huge honor to receive an Edison Award. This week we will meet several companies whose products earned them an Edison Award for innovation.
CREATIVE THINKING SKILL: GRIT (see quote below)
...for young ones!
Face 2: Suzy Batiz Innovation that uses creativity to solve a problem doesn't have to be about something big like air travel or global warming. There are problems all around us that aren't big, but still bug us. Today's creative idea does a good job of showing that every day life is filled with small problems that need to be solved. Several years ago, Suzy Batiz decided to figure out a way to end the stink in the bathroom when someone poos. Yes, poo. Are you laughing yet? She likes to say that her product, Poo~Pourri was created by a magical fairy named Stinkerbell in an enchanted world far, far away. The truth is this Texas gal, set out to put an end to poo odor and figured out a way to do just that. Don't laugh! Today she is a millionaire because of her innovation, Poo-Pourri. How does it work? It’s pretty simple, really! When sprayed into the toilet bowl before-you-go, Poo~Pourri’s blend of NATURAL ESSENTIAL OILS creates a film on the surface of the water. The protective barrier traps odor under the surface of the water in the toilet bowl, before it ever begins! All you’ll smell is a refreshing bouquet of NATURAL ESSENTIAL OILS. Oh...and Suzy has won several BIG awards for her invention --even a 2014 Thomas Edison Award!
CREATIVE THINKING SKILL: NOTICE Innovation is at its best when it solves problems that are around you each and every day. Look around. What could be better?
PooPourri's commercials are as popular as the product itself!
Face 3: PianoArc PianoArc is a circular keyboard controller featuring just shy of 300 contiguous (that means continuous, side by side) keys on a tilting stand. The design of this piano earned it a Thomas Edison Award for musical innovation --in fact, the evening included a music number on the PianoArc played by it's designer. The idea of the PianoArc came from Brockett Parsons, the keyboard player for Lady Gaga. He was tired of looking at cool drum sets and wild looking guitars, while his keyboard looked like nothing but a keyboard. True, his keyboard had more levels than those you typically see, but it didn't have pizzazz! He came up with the idea of a circular keyboard that would do a lot of things at one time, but he lacked the technical knowledge to build it. He took his idea to a engineering group who were fascinated by his idea and made it happen. Some call it the Brockettship!
CREATIVE THINKING SKILL: DREAM Use your imagination to see something special, something never seen before... and then make it happen!
Face 4: Petmate
Petmate creates smart pet care solutions to keep your pets safe and happy. Petmate’s See and Extend travel carrier was a 2014 Edison Award finalist in the in the Consumer Goods, Lifestyle category. It offers an expandable side pouch to keep your pets comfortable during travel. Developed from Petmate’s experience traveling thousands of miles with pets, the See & Extend features a side pop-out to give dogs and cats room to stretch and mesh “windows” for ventilation and visibility, making travel with a pet much easier and less stressful.
Innovation in pet care products is Petmate's goal. For feline families, Petmate has partnered with renowned cat expert, TV personality, author and animal advocate Jackson Galaxy to shake up the cat play category with an exclusive line of advanced products to remake the category based on a real-world understanding of cats and their natural behaviors and instincts. Cat owners know how picky a cat can be, but even the pickiest of cats can't ignore the Galaxy cat products from Petmate.
People love their pets whether they are dogs, cats, or lizards. Pet companies are always looking for creative ideas that pamper pets and make money!!!
CREATIVE THINKING SKILL: EMPATHY Imagine the world from another perspective, having a attitude that understands what is important to someone or "something" else --even animals.
Face 5: Lily Pacifier Weaning System
Do any of you remember having a pacifier? If you do, you were probably WAY to old to have one. Babies love their pacifiers and put up a huge screaming fit when parents try to break them of the habit. Sometimes you will see kids as old as 4 with a pacifier in his/her mouth. The Lily Method Pacifier Weaning System is a simple solution that can help wean small children off their pacifier in days rather than weeks – without the headaches and tantrums that come with traditional weaning methods.
The Lily Method Pacifier Weaning System won a Thomas Edison Award in the category of Dental Hygiene. With the Lily Method Pacifier Weaning System, parents get a step-by-step process that’s easy to follow, effective and safe. It features 5 unique pacifiers specifically designed for pacifier weaning. Long-term use of pacifiers can cause issues such as speech delays, dental problems, ear infections, mouth injuries and hygiene complications. The secret to the Lily Method Weaning System is a series of nipples that gradually get smaller, which in turn decreases the satisfaction for the child. Finally, the child decides it simply isn't worth it!
CREATIVE THINKING SKILL: NOTICE Innovation is at its best when it solves problems that are around you each and every day. Look around. What could be better?
