LEGO Kid

I loved this story about a seven-year old kid from Maine who has invented "a new way of playing with legos." He has contacted LEGO with his idea, and the parties have already signed a confidentiality agreement. Probably there aren't too many kids his age who have done that. Hopefully, we'll see him at the Student Innovation Center in 11 years. See the story in the Portland Press Herald!

Calling Women Inventors!

Kelly Ripa, yes, the woman who co-hosts Live with Regis and Kelly and magically flips cookies to the kids in those Electrolux commercials, has teamed up with TLC and the Home Shopping Network to give women inventors the opportunity to pitch their products on HSN.

The show will help the inventors get their inventions manufactured and marketed.

Here are the qualifications:

• You must be a woman 18 or older and a citizen of the United States
• You must have a unique invention or product, plus a working prototype
• You must have a great, outgoing personality and plenty of passion to back up your product or invention!
• All applicants are subject to background check and standard television release forms
• Prohibited products: weapons, alcohol, dietary supplements, weight loss products, medical devices and skin care products with aggressive claims

You can find information about how to audition here. There are some UMaine alumni who have been very successful in selling their products on television shopping networks, including the Slanket on QVC. Maybe this could be your chance!