Americans Invent on Satellite TV

Feb 19
08:44

2009

Whitney Alen

Whitney Alen

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Creation and imagination! These are the most important factors for success onAmerican Inventor, an exciting new reality TV program.

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Creation and imagination! Those are the most important factors for success on American Inventor,Americans Invent on Satellite TV Articles an exciting new reality TV program. Stir up some inspiration in yourself by watching on satellite TV as average Joes turn their ideas into revolutionary new products. The name of the show, American Inventor, is a dead giveaway for the general idea – inventions made by American entrepreneurs – but it doesn’t fully explain the whimsical appeal of the show itself. Invention is transformed into competition, as 12 Americans, selected from hundreds of entrants, tinker and improve their pet invention in an attempt to clobber the competition.

The format of the show allows for a close understanding of the inventions and the inventors who are making them happen. The group of inventors selected are split up into groups of three, and each show then focuses on one group at a time as the three people compete against one another. Every individual on the show is given a budget of $50,000 dollars to improve their invention – an amount that can be considered more than enough or not nearly sufficient depending on the materials and techniques involved for each product, tool or toy. As inventors compete some are eliminated while others advance one step further toward their dream.

Some sassy Brits are the brains behind American Inventor. It was created by Peter Jones, who participated in a similar version in the UK, and produced by Simon Cowell and the producers of American Idol. Their success with other reality shows should be evidence enough that this show has got a lot to offer. So far, there have only been two seasons, and with any luck they will treat viewers with a third season soon.

The inventions featured on the show range from the bizarre to the eminently practical. Some are so unexpectedly simple as to be a real contribution to society. One of the first season’s inventors came up with a training vest that helps athletes learn to catch a football, particularly aimed at helping receivers. The product is getting an endorsement from Jerry Rice and will actually get manufactured and be available for purchase in the future.

There are other marvelous ideas: Who doesn’t want a clip to use when the lock on a bathroom door is broken? And no doubt the world would benefit from a toilet that stopped the spread of bacteria when it flushed. In season two there was an astounding invention that absolutely deserved to win – a backless and convertible bra from inventor Elaine Cato. Happily, even without winning it still piqued the interest of several manufacturers and is available from Maidenform. That’s the beauty of the show – although there is inevitably a single person who is given the title of champion and who carries away a cool million in business resources and support, most of the inventions are ingenious and useful enough that they are developed into marketable products.