On Fri, 15 May 2009 10:30:13 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch
wrote:



I agree Vic, the geared can opener is a masterpiece of good design and
every time I use one I wonder how the idea came to its inventor, did
he try other things first? Consider the old type of can opener where
you stab the can and then wiggle it up and down making an extremely
sharp jagged edge, AWFUL. How did this guy manage to think so far out
of the mainstream to come up with the geared opener.

I seem to recall the geared cutting wheel can opener came out after
electric can openers. Maybe he just applied the electric concept,
which used a geared cutting wheel, to a manual opener.
What I remember is the up-and-down cutter you mentioned, then some
years of a turning wing opener with a fixed cutting blade and a gear
driving the can. Usually slipped badly because the fixed cutter was
crap. Then came the geared cutting wheel. With beefed up handle too.
Easy as pie.

Remember when the pop top was being perfected and they tried various
designs? Do you remember the Coors cans that had two holes you pushed
in with your finger but they cut some peoples fingers?

Can't say I do. But I recall some progression to where we are.
Like pulling the whole tab off, with its sharp edges.

I have heard the springy strip thing works for snorers. However,
since I have rarely had to deal with someone who snores I never
considered it.
Right now, my youngest daughter has been diagnosed with Type I
diabetes so we are doing the finger prick 4X a day and the insulin
injections. Some of the gadgets they have to make this easy are kinda
cool and it has gotten me thinking of things to make this whole
process easier. Thinking about this actually is distracting me from
work I am currently being paid to do.
I think all people can invent things but they think it is somehow a
special talent. In the USA, our govt actually encourages invention by
individuals by making the patent process almost reasonable whereas
most countries discourage patents by individuals in favor of them
being submitted by large companies. I think the diff shows in our
economy vs theirs.
Some people can "invent on demand", that is, they are asked to invent
something to solve a problem and so they do. I cannot do that at
all. Instead, i fill my head with all the techie stuff I can by
skimming tech journals and then I do something so the concepts can
randomely swirl round and round until two fit together and then it's
"EUREKA". This mostly happens when I am going for a walk or sailing ,
etc.
My only natural talent is doing this and so I do not lack for ideas at
all. What I lack is an attention span that would allow me to fully
develop things because I am constantly jumping from one thing to
another. Right now, I am almost regretting the diabetes ideas because
they will distract me from my x-ray work.
So, if you have a good idea, I encourage you to consider patenting
it. Go onto the USPTO website and use their search mechanism and
look for old patents that might cover your idea. Do not get
discouraged. My first attempt to patent something was for an anti-
fouling that could be applied underwater but a patent search revealed
it was done years ago.

I'm going to remember your words next time I go fishing.
I'll try to read some stuff first, so there's something in my head to
mix up. Maybe some boating-related stuff.
Or maybe household, to invent something the homemaker could use.
Got an idea already, but it's a secret.
I'd like to see you invent something your daughter would use to
ease her diabetes travails. But don't let your business go bust
thinking about it.

--Vic