Do You Dream of Entrepreneurship? American Inventor on Satellite TV Can Inspire You

Feb 17
08:44

2009

Whitney Alen

Whitney Alen

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

Brilliant flashes of creativity and pure imagination! Those are the top reasons people are getting addicted toAmerican Inventor, an exciting new reality TV program.

mediaimage

Brilliant flashes of creativity and pure imagination! Those are the top reasons people are getting addicted to American Inventor,Do You Dream of Entrepreneurship? American Inventor on Satellite TV Can Inspire You 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 brilliant products. The name of the show, American Inventor, is a dead giveaway for the general idea – inventions made by entrepreneur Americans – but it doesn’t fully explain the whimsical appeal of the show itself. Inventing is turned into a sport, 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 each personality and project. 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 enhance their invention – an amount that can be considered more than enough or not nearly sufficient depending on the materials and techniques involved for each gadget or device. As inventors compete some are eliminated while others advance on in the competition, in hopes of bringing home the big prize.

Although the name of the show is all-American, it’s actually the brainchild of a group of UK-based producers. It was created by Peter Jones, who participated in a similar version in the UK, and produced by the same people who brought us American Idol, including – you guessed – Simon Cowell. Their success with other reality shows is evidence enough that this show has got a lot to offer. It’s been just two seasons, and with any luck they will treat viewers with a third season soon.

The inventions on the show range from the logical to the insane. Some are so unexpectedly simple as to be a real contribution to society. For instance, a finalist in the first season 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 superior 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 kills bacteria with every flush. In season two there was a breathtaking invention that definitely deserved to win – a backless and convertible bra by creator Elaine Cato. Happily, even without winning it still piqued the interest of several manufacturers and is now sold by Maidenform. That’s the beauty of the show – although there is always one person who carries away a cool million in business resources and support, most of the inventions are compelling enough that they get picked up by big brands and are successfully developed into reality.