Sun 6 Dec 2009
As we always do when a product moves into manufacturing – it’s time to hear a few words from Jenny Tyler the original ideator behind the Beamer – our iphone case with build in light. Below is an interview with Jenny:
1. When did you think of the idea for the Beamer?
I was chatting with a few friends about the Quirky site and we were all thinking of some cool inventions to submit. I had a Blackberry at the time and it had a flash and a couple of my friends had an iPhone. This being said the concept came from all of us…well everyone claims it to be theirs independently:) Either way, a month later I asked if anyone had submitted it and no one had….so I jumped on it. Everyone is really excited about it’s success so far…funny thing is I received an email from one of the members in the Quirky community the day it opened for voting detailing he was going to submit the exact same concept that week but ran out of time. I got lucky:)
2. Had you tried to make this thing on your own already?
No, but I have brought a product from concept to fruition before and understand the complexities and struggles that come along with it. This Quirky site is genius as it takes away all of the hard work involved in bringing a product from concept to fruition. I have so many ideas to submit, and am planning on making this Quirky site an integral part of my future product ideas.
3. What do you do? (job-wise, ya know, when you are not on quirky)
Presently I run an environmental firm, DF Technical & Consulting Services Ltd., out of Vancouver, BC. They have become an official dealer of my first successful invention www.canairi.com. 9 years of research and development later I brought to life an amazing stand alone real-time indoor environmental monitoring system for both residential and commercial buildings. Upon detection of any threats, our team is alerted in real-time via cell phone or pager so immediate action can be taken. Our core focus is Environmental Risk Management and our market niche is real-time leak detection for green-roofs and wall perimeters. It is going really well but believe me when I say this, the work entailed is at times overwhelming. I cannot stress enough how incredible Quirky is, it will change the world of manufacturing and offer all of the inventors an opportunity to get their ideas into the market place without having to go through the years of struggle myself and many others have undergone.
4. Where are you from?
I am from Canada but grew up sporadically in Trinidad and Tobago where the best half of my family resides.
5. Who/where do you derive your creative inspiration from?
I am most creative when I am alone unable to be influenced by others. I admire the most people like Howard Hughes, Albert Einstein and Richard Branson. These types of people have no limitations and have inspired me to do my best to never place any on myself. “Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand. Albert Einstein.
6. What do you wish quirky had that it does not already?
1000 Retail locations across North America;)
7. What store would you love to see Beamer in?
Target, Wal-Mart, Best-Buy, Telus, Rogers, online iPhone accessory stores.
8. What is your favorite deli meat? What is your favorite cereal?
Lol…none of the above really…funny:)
Stay tuned for an interview with Stephen Stewart of Cordies!
