Modern Inventor

Hello Everyone! Here we are in 2009 and already a month has gone by. I can hardly believe it. This has already been an action-packed year at Trident Design, LLC. It started with our annual journey to Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show (The CES), which this year was January 11th-14th. I take several people from my team with me and we have meetings with potential design clients, existing customers for the products we sell ourselves, our sales reps and freinds in the industry. We also cover almost every square foot of the enormous show, checking out all the latest products.

In the CE insdustry, there are actually relatively few “inventions” in a given year. Almost all of what you see are variations on the same major categories. So what you see are TVs, headphones, speakers, cables, game systems, etc. Other industries, like housewares, have much more room for the inventor, since there are many more categories of product. Yet, there are always a few cool things to see at CES. This year I liked the Eye-fi system, these cool globes, and the ClickFree Harddrive. Flexible OLEDs were the technology breakthrough on display, as well as several forms of wireless power.

Regardless of which industry you work in, I definitely recommend going to the CES if you are inventing stuff, because there is lots of great eye-candy of all sorts and plenty to inspire you. The vibe in Vegas is fun for a few days, and there is lots of great design everywhere. If you walk around the Sands Convention Center, where they have the smaller half of the CES, you will see all the smaller companies and their innovative products. I recommend eating out of the strip hotels for superior dining experiences. Origin India is great Indian food (the portions seem small at first and then fill you to bursting!) and the Golden Steer is a true classic steakhouse with

Get to know people! I have been going to CES for 8 years now. Because I keep showing up, I now have lots of friends in the community that gathers around it. People I met one year are now old friends, and as the circle of my industry friends grows, so do the number of opportunities that come Trident’s way. Just introduce yourself and look for opportunties. Everyone there is looking to do business, so you don’t need to be shy about your motivations.

It’s turkey month and I’d like to start off with a list of things I’m thankful for this year:

1. The election is finally over! It was an exciting and enthralling run-up, but I was ready to move on, one way or the other. Hopefully we’ll see some great things from the new guys.
2. Deep-fried turkey: it’s not good for your heart, but it’s good for your soul! Thanksgiving hasn’t been the same since my folks got the fryer. Delicious!
3. The internet: It’s cliché to say, but my job as a professional inventor wouldn’t be possible in the same way without it. The ease of communication with my remote engineers, my  manufacturer’s in China, my prototypers, and my webmaster all make this possible. This profession was a lot different (or didn’t really exist) not that many years ago.
4. The Yoropen (www.yoropen.com): this is the first really well executed ergonomic pen and since I started using one I am hooked. It was developed by a Taiwanese inventor. It gives me a case of professional envy! I recommend you all check it out!

   

5. My family: Thanks Family, for all your support! Especially you, Sommer (my wife)!
6. The amazing staff here at Trident Design: as a team we are unbeatable! You should all try and find yourselves in the company of teammates that make your job as satisfying and enjoyable as mine!
7. Great customers: Every week we get emails from our customers thanking us for our attention to service and complimenting our products. We put all of ourselves into our products and our service and it is lovely when it is noticed. Thank you!
8. Downhill skiing season: My favorite outdoor activity is once again upon us! It has the perfect blend of action and gear. You shouldn’t be surprised to find out that I love gear.
9. Acupuncture: I just checked out this Eastern import for the first time recently and have had great results. It doesn’t really hurt too bad, and that’s coming from a bona fide needle-phobe. I recommend it for your chronic pains.
10. I made it another year! That’s right, it’s my birth month. I’m a Scorpio, whatever that means.