esentation; some had brought working models, prototypes, and drawings, others had just a verbal explanation. A quick patent search was conducted which eliminated most of the inventions from further consideration.

Out of 1600 inventions viewed (until about 10pm), abo

There is a story that, years ago a person high up in the U.S. Patent Office resigned. The reason stated was that “everything worth inventing had been invented.” That certainly was not the case as evidenced by my recent experience.

I was invited to visit the Chicago “Casting Call” for “Everyday Edisions, ™” a TV show that airs on PBS stations. The format is similar to the popular “Antiques Roadshow” except it showcases inventors and their inventions. When I arrived at the WTTW studio at the advertised starting time of the event there was a line of inventors extending around the building as three or four times the expected number of inventors showed up – the queue had started forming just after midnight! I met Louis Foreman, the force behind the show and volunteered to help out in any way possible because, clearly, they were overwhelmed by the sheer number of hopeful inventors.

I was placed on one of four “screening panels,” comprised of a patent attorney, product development, engineering, and marketing experts. We listened to inventors give their two-minute presentation; some had brought working models, prototypes, and drawings, others had just a verbal explanation. A quick patent search was conducted which eliminated most of the inventions from further consideration.

Out of 1600 inventions viewed (until about 10pm), abou

“Casting Call” for “Everyday Edisions, ™” a TV show that airs on PBS stations. The format is similar to the popular “Antiques Roadshow” except it showcases inventors and their inventions. When I arrived at the WTTW studio at the advertised starting time of the event there was a line of inventors extending around the building as three or four times the expected number of inventors showed up – the queue had started forming just after midnight! I met Louis Foreman, the force behind the show and volunteered to help out in any way possible because, clearly, they were overwhelmed by the sheer number of hopeful inventors.

I was placed on one of four “screening panels,” comprised of a patent attorney, product development, engineering, and marketing experts. We listened to inventors give their two-minute presentation; some had brought working models, prototypes, and drawings, others had just a verbal explanation. A quick patent search was conducted which eliminated most of the inventions from further consideration.

Out of 1600 inventions viewed (until about 10pm), abo

re was a line of inventors extending around the building as three or four times the expected number of inventors showed up – the queue had started forming just after midnight! I met Louis Foreman, the force behind the show and volunteered to help out in any way possible because, clearly, they were overwhelmed by the sheer number of hopeful inventors.

I was placed on one of four “screening panels,” comprised of a patent attorney, product development, engineering, and marketing experts. We listened to inventors give their two-minute presentation; some had brought working models, prototypes, and drawings, others had just a verbal explanation. A quick patent search was conducted which eliminated most of the inventions from further consideration.

Out of 1600 inventions viewed (until about 10pm), abo

cause, clearly, they were overwhelmed by the sheer number of hopeful inventors.

I was placed on one of four “screening panels,” comprised of a patent attorney, product development, engineering, and marketing experts. We listened to inventors give their two-minute presentation; some had brought working models, prototypes, and drawings, others had just a verbal explanation. A quick patent search was conducted which eliminated most of the inventions from further consideration.

Out of 1600 inventions viewed (until about 10pm), abo

esentation; some had brought working models, prototypes, and drawings, others had just a verbal explanation. A quick patent search was conducted which eliminated most of the inventions from further consideration.

Out of 1600 inventions viewed (until about 10pm), about 70 were sent to a second panel for further evaluation. After deeper patent searches and more evaluations for marketability and practicality, just a handful (2 – 5) will actually make it to the TV show.

Even though I had to leave well before the panel was finished because of a prior commitment it was a most interesting experience and I wished I could have stayed longer. Some of the inventions I saw were brilliant, others were interesting, a few were laughable but they all illustrated that optimism, the entrepreneurial dream, and creative spirit is alive and well. From my observation as long as people are capable of thinking, there are some, the inventors, who will think of creating new methods of solving old problems.

“Everyday Edisons” will be aired next year. Look for it. I think you will find it inspiring, interesting and entertaining.