I sent a video outlining an idea I came up with for a DB and series of apps to a contact I made at a big org. I received a terse reply that appeared to be claiming the idea as theirs. What is the best way to respond?
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posted by brynnwood
on Jul 10, 2012 -
10 answers
How many tool 'generations' has there been since hominids began toolmaking?
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posted by Jehan
on Feb 13, 2012 -
14 answers
I just read
this bio on Wired of Leo Fender and I was struck by the last line: "He never learned how to play the guitar." What other inventors, designers, or other people heavily involved in a specific product or industry never used their own products? I'm thinking of auto designers that didn't know how to drive, illiterate linguists, anything like that.
posted by backseatpilot
on Aug 10, 2011 -
28 answers
I'm looking for the greatest unproduced patents from the late 1800's through the mid-40's. Amazing, interesting, unusual ideas that, on paper, might have made a big impact - but got no further than the patent office. Where would I find these?
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posted by rileyray3000
on Jun 10, 2011 -
5 answers
What are some other basic inventions/discoveries that became widely applied foundations for other inventions/discoveries?
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posted by yoga
on Nov 26, 2010 -
20 answers
Are there documented, effective methods for stimulating and managing an innovation (idea) pipeline?
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posted by TheOtherSide
on Sep 28, 2010 -
1 answer
I work in the marsh and we need to carry some pretty heavy equipment soon; we have been trying to think of some way we can carry it all. We are thinking of some sort of sled/wagon that could handle diverse ground going from firm ground to puddles/ponds to very muddy, soft ground. Does anybody have good ideas?
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posted by Rustbeard
on May 28, 2010 -
6 answers
What's the name of that illusion (if that's the right word) where you think you came up with an idea but you actually heard it from someone else previously?
posted by palet
on Feb 3, 2010 -
7 answers
What is this book? For kids, about a scientist's assistant who breaks into the lab safe one night and finds potions that he feeds to the lab rat. Hilarity and mayhem ensues.
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posted by phunniemee
on Dec 7, 2009 -
1 answer
I've been following the development of the
CrunchPad with some interest. It's made me wonder, are there any famous examples in history of journalists also being successful inventors/innovators?
posted by runkelfinker
on Nov 15, 2009 -
6 answers
I have invented a card game and would like to protect it before I start large-scale game testing. I can't find useful information about the laws surrounding protecting this kind of intellectual property. First, what kind of protections should I be seeking for a card game? Second, any recommendations on reputable, ethical lawyers in Seattle who can help me protect my game?
posted by velvetsmog
on Sep 4, 2009 -
9 answers
I have a product idea for a regional restaurant franchise that I think would do really well. How do I go about making my dream of untold wealth a reality?
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posted by shiu mai baby
on Jun 9, 2009 -
8 answers
I've made a new fabric product that I hope would sell 5000+ units. For viable efficiency I need to buy manufacturing of the product or its parts. I don't want to reveal my product idea, but let's use a SLR camera bag made in sturdy fabric as an example. My product has similar materials, size and complexity. How do I go from there?
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posted by nolnar
on Jan 23, 2009 -
6 answers
I saw a website or read an article about an ergonomic "cubicle" that was actually a very large, balanced sphere. The person would lie down inside the sphere in a perfectly supporting "chair" (somewhat like a first-class recliner), facing upwards; the keyboard was at lap level, and the monitor hung from the top of the sphere. Now I can't find it. Help?
posted by tzikeh
on Jul 15, 2008 -
6 answers
Is this possible? Or just dumb? What would happen if we used one of those new, small, portable air-conditioners in a car on a temporary basis?
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posted by Toto_tot
on Jul 14, 2008 -
18 answers
I'm an engineer/inventor who is in salary negotiations with a non-profit and I hold the patent for a mission critical technology. I have some questions about how to secure the best offer.
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posted by Cardboardbox
on Apr 10, 2008 -
9 answers
How difficult would it be to either build a GPS with a little bit of a personality, who is disappointed with you when you make wrong turns, or to mod existing GPS units to have a hint of a personality?
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posted by onlyconnect
on Feb 17, 2008 -
32 answers
I had an idea that, if patentable, would be worth quite a bit. However the chance of it being patentable is low (about 10-20%) and wouldn't be marketable by itself and would most likely require sale to a computer manufacturer. Are there any businesses that handle these kinds of ideas for a % of ownership in the potential patent?
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posted by JakeLL
on Oct 16, 2007 -
19 answers
I am considering taking my invention (patent pending) to a show called "The big idea with Donny Deutsch" which also has a show on television in the US on CNBC. Has anyone ever heard of this show or Donny Deutsch? The show is holding a road show in San Francisco for inventors in October and I would like to know if anyone has any feed back regarding this company.
posted by Little
on Aug 5, 2007 -
15 answers
Does anyone have any suggestions/ideas on how to get my patent pending invention known to the public besides my website? This invention is for home improvement/decorating, no other product is available to the public that even comes close to what I have and it resolves a problem that all most every home uses for a window treatment. I am "financially challenged" so money is a huge issue. I welcome all replies!
posted by Little
on Jul 23, 2007 -
14 answers
I have an idea for an improvement on a current product. How do I materialize it?
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posted by h2
on Nov 18, 2006 -
11 answers
I have found that when you are motivated to something unusual or difficult people dont hesitate to tell you how flawed your dream is, and why you will never and cannot physically succeed. Sometimes, these thoughts creep into my head, which I would like to combat, thus my question.
I need quotes or excerpts about people who claimed someone famous in history would never succeed, who ended up making themselves look rather foolish when that person did infact succeed. (examples inside)
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posted by JokingClown
on Nov 2, 2006 -
34 answers
I've heard astronomy has given us great insights about basic physics (and could be seen as a form of basic physics research). What technologies do we have today that can trace their gensis to astronomical findings?
posted by phrontist
on Sep 29, 2006 -
10 answers
I'd love some help/direction/inspiration finding stories and quotes about inventions and technologies that are now ubiquitous, but were once considered to be unnecessary or impractical.
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posted by padraigin
on May 2, 2006 -
18 answers
During a recorded history lecture I was listening to recently, the professor mentioned in passing that Plato had said something to the effect that 'the Greeks never invented anything (but perfected what they borrowed)'. Can anyone point me to or quote the actual text in question, if it exists?
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posted by stavrosthewonderchicken
on Apr 20, 2006 -
5 answers
If someone were to create an actual working version of fictional technology, would the inventor have to pay royalties to the owner of the original fiction?
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posted by Servo5678
on Apr 5, 2006 -
19 answers
Inventionfilter: Lets say I've come up with a brilliant idea that will change the world as we know it. How do I go about making this idea a reality?
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posted by ZackTM
on Mar 20, 2006 -
15 answers
I have an idea for a product, and I'd like to get a prototype made. Does anyone have a service they'd recommend? And how does one research materials? (It's going to be solely made of some kind of rubber, but I don't know what to call the kind of rubber I want...)
posted by crickets
on Aug 19, 2005 -
5 answers
I want to make a widget. Where do I find people who can help me make such widget? In this specific case, I want to make a co2 powered gizmo that goes around and around.
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posted by striker
on Apr 25, 2005 -
4 answers
How would a nobody consumer go about contacting a major corporation about adding a new area to an existing piece of software? This software in question is already updated all the time, it seems like it would be easily implemented, and would bring in new revenue.
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posted by ArsncHeart
on Mar 12, 2005 -
9 answers
In your opinion, what is the most awe-inspiring, amazing invention created in human history? And why?
posted by grefo
on Dec 3, 2004 -
72 answers
