RoR: Forum

There is something else which ties into this - the confusion between being 'inventive' and being an 'inventor'..... methinks many think of the fictional but loved MacGyver as the epitomy of inventiveness - and applaud this in a person... on the other hand, as ye pointed out, there's the 'Gyro Gearloose' type, who invents, but seems a crazed coot in so being... still, am intrigued at what will transpire in upcoming shows, and at what other interesting ideas which will be shown..... further, it is showing some of the problems which needs be looked into in inventing, including some googling to see if others have thought of the same or similar, or just how well some would be marketed in the light of how things are today.....

Post 1

Monday, March 20, 2006 - 10:24pm

Michael,

Very interesting topic. I'm familiar with the stereotype of the inventor that you mentioned. It's something that I hadn't given much thought to before. With so much specialization these days, I think it's hard to imagine someone inventing lots of new things beyond some narrow niche. For instance, I've got a number of patents, but they all apply to the narrow field of chip design. The term "inventor" conveys that they invent things for a living, and they can make enough to live off of. I guess it's hard to imagine someone finding lots of useful inventions that haven't been discovered.

So maybe that's part of the reason for the stereotype. And as you said, part might be due to the "inventors" themselves. Part of the stereotype I've been exposed to is the view that they're searching for "get rich quick" schemes. Not putting the hard work into really understanding a field, they instead want to find a "gimmick". It's almost like tricking people into giving them money. I'm thinking about pet rocks as an example.

Looking forward to seeing what effect this show might have. Please keep us posted.

Post 2

Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 5:38pm

I am not happy with the turn this show has taken. They seem far more concerned about "helping children" and the emotions of the inventors than actual results. I am finding it very annoying now.

Post 3

Friday, May 12, 2006 - 6:07am

I'm finding it incredibly interesting that two of the four finalists are immigrants to the US, and the other two are minorities.

Ultimately, the issue is about which product will sell. Nothing wrong with that, is there? If a product creates wealth by "helping people," I think that's a wonderful. It's clear these people are passionate about their values, and that's refreshing to see.

I love the "word game" guy.

The football guy's product is terribly limited (or "targeted," glass-half-full, and all that) when it comes to marketing, but it's a great idea. Plus, he's ripped to hell, and that's very pleasant to view. ;)

Fransisco's new bike idea is pretty cool, and I really like the kid, but the Brit was right about making it into an attachment, rather than a whole new bike.

Now, the car seat guy...I'm not sure what to make of that one. I don't see how the force of a 40 mph impact will not transfer to that seat before it starts spinning. Does the energy of the force somehow get absorbed in such a way that it automatically translates to "spin," or does it translate to "blunt/spin?"
They're going to have to test that thing on chimps.

Post 4

Friday, May 12, 2006 - 7:49am

Teresa:

I think the idea behind the car seat is that when the car stops suddenly the impact causes the kid's gimballed seat to rotate so that the pressure is on the kid's back rather than shoulder restraints so that he doesn't get whip lash, etc.. My concern would be that the axles and the stress path to the real car seat is strong enough. Also, it seems to take up a lot of width.

The design is stunning.

For me the flaw in this series is that we're not informed enough on the actual inventions and how they work. I have no appreciation for how the football training vest is supposed to improve performance. Francisco is one neat guy ... all he need is a last name of d'Anconia.

Sam

Post 5

Friday, May 12, 2006 - 8:56am

I honestly think that car seat is doable, and I know there are ways to measure stress during impacts.

I'm going to have to call my dad about this. He worked in the collision business for over 50 years and witnessed the results of every kind of car crash imaginable, including those that have killed infants, children, adults, and pets.

Dad came up with the idea of fold-down, built in car seats and pitched it to a Chrysler executive during a golf game. Chrysler came out with a built in seat a few years later.

Dad's still pissed he never got any credit.

Post 6

Friday, May 12, 2006 - 12:06pm

I'm finding it incredibly interesting that two of the four finalists are immigrants to the US, and the other two are minorities.

I find it interesting whenever I see Bush, he's behind a dis-proportionate audience of mixed-race, whether live, or one of those back-drops with people-pictures and sound-bites.

I don't see how the force of a 40 mph impact will not transfer to that seat before it starts spinning.

The trick is to control the *rate* energy is transferred to the seat. Springs and dampers can do this - tuned by electrically acceleration sensors.

Does the energy of the force somehow get absorbed in such a way that it automatically translates to "spin," or does it translate to "blunt/spin?"

I honestly think that car seat is doable, and I know there are ways to measure stress during impacts.

I'm going to have to call my dad about this. He worked in the collision business for over 50 years and witnessed the results of every kind of car crash imaginable, including those that have killed infants, children, adults, and pets.

There are many devices, "accelerometers", as simple as microphones or much more complex, to sense inertial forces.

My idea is to use a radar sensor to determine the trajectory of the occupant along with inertial sensors in the seat, then use an airbag with an array of explosive cells, initiated spacially and sequentially, to create a tailored profile tuned to the deceleration vector of the vehicle, mass and area of the occupant.

All I need is a few million. But no doubt you'll see them soon. Its damn hard to think of anything really original.

Scott

Post 7

Friday, May 12, 2006 - 2:17pm