On March 27 2001, Marvin Weinberger and his colleague Tucker Marion were on a flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco to pitch some product ideas to a prominent toy company.
In the course of the flight, Marvin turned to Tucker and complained about the ice and snow he had had to clear from his car before driving to the airport. Having grown up in Akron, Ohio Marvin knew from firsthand experience all about the challenges of winter driving. What was wrong with the common ice scraper made is such a pain to clear ice from a windshield?
By the time they landed in San Francisco, Marvin and Tucker not only had analyzed the problem, but had sketched out real alternatives to the ineffective ice scraper (and snow brushes) currently available. Here were some of their insights:
Windshields are curved, so why use an ice scraper with a flat blade? The task calls for a flexible attack surface.
Ice is really hard, but it becomes increasingly brittle as temperatures decrease. An Achilles heel! So why scrape at ice when you can crack it (‘tenderize’) instead to weaken the bond between ice and glass of the windshield.
Typical ice scrapers force repetitive stress from the use of an awkward handle. It would be better to create and ergonomic tool (harnessing natural body motion) in order to maximize results while reducing the effort required.
Why not incorporate a bulldozer-style blade to shove the ice and snow aside (instead of up your sleeve)?!
Why are typical ice scrapers so cheaply made? The job calls for a professional grade product, able to take abuse and yet still get the job done throughout years of winter driving.
The conversation continued over the next few days and by the time they flew home to Philadelphia, Tucker an Marvin had decided to refocus their energies on developing tools for safe winter driving. This was a good thing, since (as you probably guessed) the scheduled meeting in San Francisco were a bust.
Where We Are Today
The Innovation Factory now offers a full range of products for safe winter driving. We have also introduced the Handy/Rescue and Trucker’s Friend multi-tools for year round use.
And Now it’s Your Turn
We look forward to taking your order and hope that you’ll be as satisfied with your purchase as have the many previously customers who’ve taken the time to post their testimonials on our website.
Meanwhile, we are already working on some of the new products that customers have already requested and hope that you’ll check in our progress from time-to-time. If you have any questions, comments, words of advice – or complaints – please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.
Yours Respectively,
Marvin Weinberger
Inventor-in-Chief
The Innovation Factory is a business of MIW Associates LL
About
History of the Innovation Factory
On March 27 2001, Marvin Weinberger and his colleague Tucker Marion were on a flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco to pitch some product ideas to a prominent toy company.
In the course of the flight, Marvin turned to Tucker and complained about the ice and snow he had had to clear from his car before driving to the airport. Having grown up in Akron, Ohio Marvin knew from firsthand experience all about the challenges of winter driving. What was wrong with the common ice scraper made is such a pain to clear ice from a windshield?
By the time they landed in San Francisco, Marvin and Tucker not only had analyzed the problem, but had sketched out real alternatives to the ineffective ice scraper (and snow brushes) currently available. Here were some of their insights:
The conversation continued over the next few days and by the time they flew home to Philadelphia, Tucker an Marvin had decided to refocus their energies on developing tools for safe winter driving. This was a good thing, since (as you probably guessed) the scheduled meeting in San Francisco were a bust.
Where We Are Today
The Innovation Factory now offers a full range of products for safe winter driving. We have also introduced the Handy/Rescue and Trucker’s Friend multi-tools for year round use.
And Now it’s Your Turn
We look forward to taking your order and hope that you’ll be as satisfied with your purchase as have the many previously customers who’ve taken the time to post their testimonials on our website.
Meanwhile, we are already working on some of the new products that customers have already requested and hope that you’ll check in our progress from time-to-time. If you have any questions, comments, words of advice – or complaints – please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.
Yours Respectively,
Marvin Weinberger
Inventor-in-Chief
The Innovation Factory is a business of MIW Associates LL