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'American Inventor': Taking joy in the pain of other people
This week on American Inventor, six finalists went to Los Angeles to develop their ideas. Three advanced to the final round. Two annoyed the crap out of me, one was only semi-annoying, one needed a change of wardrobe, one seemed sort of meh, and one I pretty much liked. Amazingly, the judges seemed to agree. That never works for me!
Spoilers lurk beyond.
The Extremely Annoying
Michael and Joe Miller, inventors of the Wrap-Away, a kitchen-wrap dispenser. They showed great glee every time anyone said anything bad about any of their competitors, and were overconfident to the point of hubris. Every time they came on screen, I wanted to throw something -- when they talked up their product, when they talked down their competitors, when they started parading around in white lab coats (what?), when they went to an image consultant to prepare for their pitch, and every time they gave those smug little good-old-boy smirks. By the end of the first hour, I was praying for their dismissal.
It didn't help that everyone in their focus group apparently had been mentally or physically scarred by kitchen wrap at some point in their lives -- the women in the focus group burbled on about how they cut themselves on plastic wrap boxes! And it's so hard to find everything! And oh, they'd love to use this product right now, it's the best thing ever! The guys swelled up like poisonous toads and gloated. Bleh.
Then they went to an industrial designer who convinced them to produce the Wrap Away in stainless steel and give it "pizzazz." Personally, I think that move just makes the product more expensive, and less likely to be bought. But I'm having such a knee-jerk reaction to these guys that my judgment is suspect. Seriously, though -- these guys annoy.
Which is why I took a vicious sense of satisfaction when they bobbled their big pitch meeting. They'd gone to an image consultant to get polished, and it didn't work -- they were flat, all personality (even the lousy personality they had to begin with) gone, and they forgot their lines. Cue the Mr.-Burns-like "ehhhhhxcellent' hand gestures among the crowd watching with me. Hey, I never claimed we were nice people.
The Not Quite As Annoying, But Close
Denise and George with their EZT4U. For god's sake, enough with the talk about how happy you are together and how much you love each other! What does that have to do with your product? Are you selling an aphrodisiac or some kind of happy pill? Then shut up about your endless love, already!
The focus group took some of the lovey-dovey wind out of their sails -- it was resolutely unimpressed. Why would I make tea in my coffee maker? was the common question. Well, yeah. Then, the industrial designers Denise and George were working with told them that oops! your product won't work. Coffee makers don't heat water to the correct temperature to make tea. Perhaps that's something you should have investigated before getting all those patents, hmmm?
So with some work, EZT4U became TeaBrain -- and thank you, whoever suggested it, for the name change -- a tea brewing carafe and system which works somewhat differently than the original product. You need to boil water. You need an adapter to make the basket fit your coffee maker. You need to choose what size basket you're using. And you need to sit through still more "the passion for our product that comes from our love" talk, which makes Peter visibly roll his eyes and brusquely dismiss them. Please stop making me agree with Peter. It hurts.
The Less Annoying But Still They Bugged
Craig and David with The Claw. I liked these guys for the original pitch style as much as the product, a bike storage system that grabs your wheel so you don't have to wrestle it onto a hook. The focus group is pretty brutal, and the guys are devastated. Then they get snippy. They snap at George (who was just trying to be nice), they decide the woman running the focus group didn't do her job right, and they talk about how much they gave up to be there. OK, guys, we get it. You came from Harvard and M.I.T. You're smart. Get over it.
To their credit, they immediately get to work addressing the problems the focus group, the judges and the industrial designers identified. The focus group said it looked cheap, so they try to make it look snazzier. The designers say it needs to be skinnier, so they cut down the girth. Previously, Peter had said he didn't think there was much of a market for it, so they emphasized that it could be used to hang anything.
The guys decided to emphasize how great their product was by saying "It's so easy, even a child can use it." Then they brought in a child, who... couldn't use it. She got it eventually, but it didn't look easy. Oh, guys -- you really should have made her practice that a whole lot more before going in front of the judges. Oh and that "Claw forecast" was unforgivably cheesy.
The Meh
Ricky, with HT Racers, kits that lets kids design and build heavy-duty paper remote-control cars, boats and planes. I don't quite see the point... and neither does the focus group, a bunch of kids who basically say no one their age plays with race cars anymore. While yes, the kids did seem to want to look cool, I disagree with Ricky that that was a flaw in the focus group -- kids always want to look cool, and if they don't think cars are cool, you're screwed.
Ricky does have one of the most unintentionally hilarious quotes of the show, however: "People were taking joy in the pain of other people!" He was talking about the Millers' behavior as they watched their fellow inventors get torn apart in the focus group room, but I just had to laugh. Oh, Ricky -- you haven't watched much reality TV before, have you? Because that's kind of the whole point of most of these shows, no matter how much they bill themselves as talent searches or social experiments or whatever. Schadenfreude. Learn it, live it, love it.
Ricky does two things right: He lowers the recommended age for the product, making it something that kids can get before they worry so much about the cool factor, and he expands beyond cars. The remote control paper plane was kind of cool. In the pitch, he had great customized versions of the cars with paper cutouts of the judges, which was a kick. Still, the question is, can HT Racers be the cool toy? Ricky says yes, but I -- and the judges -- aren't entirely convinced.
HT Racers also prompts the Obligatory Sexist Assumption of the Week: Pat asks how Ricky would get girls interested. Because girls don't like cars, or drive anything, or want to play with anything that doesn't involve hair and makeup! Ricky suggests they can make cute little girly cars, like Ladybugs and Beetle Bugs. And besides, the girls can color everything pink! And put ponies on them! Oy.
The One Who Needs A Wardrobe Change
Greg -- look, you're a firefighter. You fight fires. You save lives. You're a noble person. We get it. Stop wearing the full set of firefighting gear every time you walk into the room. It just starts to get ridiculous after a while.
Greg has the Guardian Angel, a fire suppression system for Christmas trees. A tank of water hides under a package, and if a fire starts, an alarm sounds and the water pumps through the decoration at the top of the tree to put out the fire. Cool, and it gives people a certain peace of mind, but I have a couple of questions: First, are there really that many Christmas Tree fires anymore, now that lights don't spark when they short out, and second, does it really work. I can't answer the first question, but on the first few tests, the answer to the second question seems to be no. Greg and his design team had to go through several tests to get the product working correctly. When they finally do, they get some great footage of the Guardian Angel putting out the blaze in less than five minutes, while a tree without the system sets the whole room on fire.
I also appreciated that you could swap out the decoration on the top of the tree that hides the system -- I'm a Star girl, and the mere thought of putting an Angel on top of the tree gives me heart palpitations. My mother would never forgive me.
But the question remains -- would Guardian Angel (or Star, in my case) really work when you needed it?
The One I Liked
Elaine, with the backless bra. I was watching the show with my sister, who hadn't seen previous episodes, and she was skeptical about the bra. How does it work? Do you know it works? Well, I replied, Elaine wears it with a backless shirt, and she's got some assets that look pretty darn perky. Yeah, but have you ever seen the bra on her? No.... And then we saw the fit model come out wearing just the bra, and yowza! Those girls were lifted and separated, and the bra had some heavy lifting to do to achieve that. It looked great. Two customers, right there.
Elaine spent all her money developing new prototypes, talking to structural engineers, dealing with fit specialists, and tweaking the product so it now works with all cup sizes. She did not, alas, spend any of her money on market research, and Peter nails her on this. I think it's a bit unfair -- they told her the money was to develop her product, and they never mentioned market research. She has a lot of anecdotal evidence, including the focus group, that the product would fly. And I can't help but notice no one else was asked demographic-research questions. Why is that, hmm? (OK, most of the others had some very basic demographic info that they sprinkled in their pitches. But no one else got grilled like she was.) I think they just wanted to build up the tension.
The Decisions
The three inventors chosen to advance are Elaine, Greg and Ricky. I think the judges got it right with Elaine and Greg, but I think Ricky got through just because his pitch was great while the Millers' was awful. However, since the Millers annoyed me to no end (which you may have picked up on), I'm ok with that.
Now it's up to the American public to vote. Will the chose the best product? Will they chose the best hard-luck story or inspirational speech? Will they vote at all? And who do you think will win? My money's on Guardian Angel, but I think it should be the backless bra. We'll see how it ends next week.
Hmm. You put down Ricky for girl toy items - ladybugs - the actual bugs I think he meant and then you added pink.And you accuse him of being sexist and implying girls only like shopping and clothes.
Then your choice for the invention is a bra! Seems ironic.
I'd rather my daughters design and build and learn aerodynamics even if they are ladybugs. HT Racers inspires and promotes learning to all kids. Ricky is a true inventor.
love the bra and would go out and buy one right away, IF, it was comfortable, that is the main key.I think the female judge should try one on
kayla | Jul 26, 2007 3:54:52 AM | #Great review. You made some fantastic observations! I posted on my blog (http://www.martyfahncke.com) about the episode as well. My prediction matches yours...I think the Guardian Angel will win. We'll see in a week!
Marty | Jul 26, 2007 6:41:34 AM | #J.C. -- I think the Obligatory Sexist part was more from Pat, for suggesting girls wouldn't play with cars in the first lace. Ricky was just trying to answer the question as best he could on his feet. The correct answer, I think, would have been "Girls will play the the cool toy, they always have," but I wasn't there answering under pressure.
As for why I prefer the bra... there are plenty of remote-control toys out there, but I have yet to find a good backless bra that works for women who actually have more than a B cup. It's the best product left. However, if the building blocks or the deaf interpreter had gotten through, I'd be voting for those.
Sarah | Jul 26, 2007 7:02:13 AM | #While I agree that the Miller's attitude was lacking in grace, I did like their product and am disappointed that it didn't go on. I still hope that someone picks up on this so that it is available one day.
Holly | Jul 26, 2007 8:02:08 AM | #I really want to see how Ricky makes the toy cars move? Looks kinda hard to assemble, the motor and remote etc.
Personally, I think the toy cars has the most potential to expand. Come on remote control pikachu! run run run!
Gary Hong | Jul 26, 2007 8:09:54 AM | #Holly: It's available now! Why don't people know this? I was watching in amazement last night when the focus group got so excited. Good grief! My grandmother had one of these hanging on her kitchen wall 50 years ago! You can buy them all day long on eBay for under $15.
JD | Jul 26, 2007 12:27:35 PM | #The tree extinguisher is a disaterous idea. If he really is a fireman, he would know that water is never used to put out electrical fires. It makes them worse.
So our tree goes on fire for some reason, a ton of water sprays out, extinguishes the primary fire and causes a short circuit fire in any compromised insulation.
Madness.
safety_guy | Jul 26, 2007 1:45:13 PM | #To Whomever wrote about the 'Guardian Angel'.
I pray to GOD !!!! you NEVER need one of those Guardian Angels.
I happen to have had an employee who was in a fire caused by Christmas trees and ornaments...My employees Mother was drawn into the fire when they opened the door and perished!!! My wonderful employee will never be the same..and Christmas will never be the same for her and her family.
God be with you!!!
A very concerned party
Alice | Jul 26, 2007 4:16:17 PM | #No one is suggesting that Christmas tree fires are a good idea. They are just pointing out that this invention cannot work. There will be more deaths resulting from pressure bombs stored under trees than there will be from Christmas tree fires.
Alan | Jul 26, 2007 8:06:23 PM | #How much is this stupid Christmas Tree monstrosity going to cost? Couldn't you just save your money and buy a fake tree? We have a beautiful fake, non-flamable tree. BTW, last year, 14 deaths occurred because of Christmas Tree fires. More people were killed by robots. Yup, robots....look it up.
Guardian Angel is emotional jibberish. Useless. Impractical. Lets not even go into one not working (which it won't) and then someone ACTUALLY dying and then owning the Guardian Angel company. No will will actually buy one of these things.
I think the bras, racers, bike hook/claw and saran wrap thing will sell.
BTW, no one mentioned that the TEA 'lovers' never actually made tea! They had 'pre made' tea! What bullsh1t artists! Plus, rewind your tivos...it was clear water comming out of that thing.
I can't believe they made it through with that crap while the steak cooking guy's invention didn't work 'well enough'. It WORKED THOUGH! He had it prototyped! He just needed 50K to IMPROVE IT! The TEA 'lovers' didn't have squat!
The nerve of those moronic judges to tell the steak cooking inventor his WORKING PROTOTYPE took too long he couldn't go through while letting the fireman with a bad idea on F*&KING POSTER BOARD go through is shameful.
Morons.
Glad to see others think this tree quencher is crazy.
Given the potential dangers of this "monstrosity" UL is not going to certify it and certainly not my dear CSA up in Canada. Maybe the judges already have their eyes on China as a source of manufacturing and fake UL stickers.
It really astonishes me that the experts on this show do not seem to know anything about regulatory requirements.
And addressing Alice's comment, shall we put a separate automatic water fire-extinguishing systems over every electrical appliance in a house? This would cause more electrocution deaths than fire deaths, so for goodness' sake put low-voltage LED lights on the tree and go to sleep.
safety_guy | Jul 27, 2007 11:47:54 AM | #It is a cool toy, and Pat's the moron who kept pushing girly toys. The sort of girl who would like this toy is the sort of girl who plays with cars anyway.
What bothers me is that there are girls toys and there are boys toys. Nobody pitches a new doll to a toy company to be asked "Okay so what's in this for the boys?"
Jennifer | Jul 28, 2007 11:20:21 AM | #best invention on this POS show was the guy last year with the shovel with the sand bag at the end. BUT becasue thats not a sexy story he was droped You know how pople around the world could use that thing get real people this show is not real just a intern writer with no pay spinning a idea too keep people watching.
john | Jul 28, 2007 5:25:39 PM | #I guess the tank that holds the water for the tree extinguisher is red so it looks like a fire truck. But as I recall, a red tank is for fuel. I think the whole pumping-directly-from-a-tank idea is something terrorists would love to get their hands on.
Buddy | Aug 1, 2007 4:07:14 PM | #The Miller's Wrap Box....My mother has had one in her kitchen for 40 years.... nothing new here.
Edward J Bricker | Aug 2, 2007 4:05:02 AM | #Cough...umm i have one of those old wrap holders on my wall now.Works great. So sad the fireman won . I really dont think that angel is going to sell.
Michelle | Aug 10, 2007 9:03:45 AM | #Have you any information about American Inventor being picked up for a third season?
swhite | Oct 30, 2007 1:01:16 PM | #Exactly how is he taking joy out of people's pain? So firefighters are doing that when we go and put out fires? Yeah, that makes sense.
Hudreds of christmas tree fires happen every year with hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages. This number doesn't have to be in the millions to be a tragedy of those it happens to. No one is protected from that possibilty. I feel sorry for those that feel the 14 people that may have been saved by this device aren't worth it. Would you think differently if it was your family?
Natural trees aren't the only source. Non flammable doesn't not equate fire proof. Every household material will reach it's flashpoint and ignite. It's quicker and perhaps more common with for 'real trees'.
Low voltage lights have the same capacity for fire, they just take less electricity. A night lite bulb(if the light is defective or broken) will cause a fire the same as the light bulbs in your lamps.
I think terroists have already figured out how to do that(mentioned above)duh. Some cold medicines people use to make meth so they shouldn't sell any of those either?
LIVE electric does need a chemical extinguishing agent. DEAD electric(without a power source)does not. If a tree's lights short the electric in now dead, it's the original spark that starts the fire. Your house circuit breaker should trip either way cutting off power. We use water to put out fires in walls where outlets and wires are. It puts the fire out, and doesn't eletricute us(or spread the fire). You won't be near the burning tree anyway so electricution wouldn't be an issue, either way.
Besides sprinklers are in every buisness and some homes. People aren't electricuted or the fire(of any kind)isn't spread. In fact they save billions in damages and many lives every year.
Besides nothing was said that with more development that they can't perhaps switch to a chemical agent that is used in typical extinguishers.
If this is the agruement then I guess any electrical fires should never happen. Well hundreds of thousands do every year. With millions in damages, and hundreds of deaths. Some are faulty wiring, damaged cords, or overloaded outlets. All homes have circuit breakers and wiring should always be maintained and installed properly, but fires still happened.
First Alert who is the leader in fire supression and detection products is helping him with the development so I think they would know if it would be possible to fine tune. UL certifies their other products so I think they know the codes and regulations it would need to be certified(Canada too).
The American viewers voted for him to win so since they would be the consumer base I think it would sell.
I am sure that eventually they could design one with a star for those with that preference.
If you didn't think it should have won fine,but before you say it CAN'T work or wouldn't be SAFE know the facts.
As for creating a 'look' and keeping everyone's attention on it, that is what they were supossed to do. That is what marketing is all about.
My second choice was also the bra. I am glad she got a company to help her out as well.
I am a firefighter, and would LOVE for this product to be fine tuned and available on the market.
A. Burkhart | Nov 24, 2007 8:24:03 PM | #I agree with the Fireman above. I think it is either crazy or ignorant to suggest that the Fire Fighting device won't sell and then base your opinion on a complete lack of understanding of water and electricity and fire. By the way, "safety guy" there are plenty of sprinkler by-laws in Canada, and Canadian cigarettes have to be formulated that you have to keep puffing to keep them lit, because of fire risk from morons who smoke in bed. Industrial kitchens have a fire suppression system over stoves and grills. (Check the "safety codes" (irony alert) for your city. All of these exist to protect from fire, and frankly how that can be a bad thing is beyond me. I'll be happy to buy the device, but then I also own fire extinguishers and have a safety plan, so I guess I'm stupid....
I do sleep soundly, however.
I was thrilled they won, to get back on topic.
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