I want to sell a cologne. How do I do that? [more inside]
posted by defmute on Sep 5, 2009 - 8 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? [more inside]
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? [more inside]
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? [more inside]
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. [more inside]
posted by Cardboardbox on Apr 10, 2008 - 9 answers

How do I get a prototype of an invention made and conduct market research? [more inside]
posted by jesirose on Feb 22, 2008 - 10 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? [more inside]
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? [more inside]
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? [more inside]
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) [more inside]
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. [more inside]
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? [more inside]
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? [more inside]
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? [more inside]
posted by ZackTM on Mar 20, 2006 - 15 answers

How do I bring a widget to market? [more inside]
posted by MrMulan on Oct 24, 2005 - 10 answers

Who invented the disco ball?
posted by ootsocsid on Sep 4, 2005 - 11 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

How does one get a food item made/packaged/produced? [more inside]
posted by Kickstart70 on Aug 18, 2005 - 8 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. [more inside]
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. [more inside]
posted by ArsncHeart on Mar 12, 2005 - 9 answers

So all of us mad inventors now know about eMachineShop and PIC microprocessors and interesting connectivity devices. And some of us have designed truly wicked little systems just begging to make it onto the front page of Engadget. [more inside]
posted by felix on Feb 18, 2005 - 2 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