Wed, Dec 15 2010
We’re just about ready to ship out the Click ‘n Cook, but before we do, we wanted to catch you all up on one of our favorite ideator families: Fred, Laurie, and Baby Girl Ende.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m an eighth grade science teacher in Westchester County, New York. Along with my wife, daughter, and very child-like parrot, we live in Putnam County, which is about an hour north of New York City. We live in a beautiful townhome community which is the perfect size for a family of three (or three-and-a-half if you consider the parrot). We can’t wait to “trade up” to a house, but find we enjoy the perks of not having to shovel our walkways when the first snow arrives (which interestingly enough, was this morning 
). As for where I’m from, I grew up in a small town towards the center of New York’s Long Island.
2. When did you join Quirky?
I joined Quirky almost a year-and-a-half ago, in September of 2009.
3. How did you find out about us?
I first learned about Quirky after reading an article about the company in the New York Times magazine back in September of 2009. I checked out the site and was hooked right away. I loved getting involved in all the phases of product development and eventually pitched a luggage/travel idea of my own. While the idea wasn’t a hit with community members at the time, I found the feedback received enlightening, and had a feeling I would be submitting quite a few more ideas in the future. When my wife, Laurie, and I had a “kitchen mishap” a few months later (involving a spatula and a runaway omelet), we brainstormed the idea for a kitchen tool which had interchangeable heads, and friction pads to reduce slippage. The friction pads didn’t hold the interest of the community for long, but the interchangeable heads appeared to be a smash hit, and the basis for the Click ‘n Cook, the world’s coolest spatula, was born!
4. When and how did you think up the idea for this product?
It was during what would be considered a fairly normal breakfast. After the omelet cleanup, we started talking about ways to make a spatula better. We ended up focusing on three items: interchangeable heads, friction tabs, and a way to reduce drawer/counter clutter.
5. Had you tried to make this thing on your own already?
No. In fact, the concept had only occurred to me and Laurie a week before the idea was pitched. It was truly a thought that was “in development.”
6. What do you think of the final product?
I love it. I was truly excited to watch the evolution of the Click ‘n Cook from its starting design to its final version. It was great to see how testing influenced the final product and led to different base models. I also enjoyed seeing how community input on aspects such as the counter footprint played a role in the final design. To me, the Click ‘n Cook truly feels like a partnership between the Quirky staff and the community.
7. In your opinion, what is the most innovative product ever invented?
I can’t think of one, but I can think of three. I would say radio, television, and the personal computer. These items weren’t only inventions, they were game changers. They created new media that are not only still present today, but are constantly changing. Whereas many products are forced to fit the mold of society, these technologies forced society to change to fit their mold. Truly amazing.
8. What inspires you?
My biggest inspirations would be my wife and daughter. I do everything for them, and they provide me with all the motivation I’ll ever need.
9. What are some of your quirks?
Too many quirks to list, but here are my top four (I would have given top three, but four sounded “quirkier”): 1. I collect Spider-Man comics… yes, I’m going to see it on Broadway, 2. I only eat cereal if at least three varieties are mixed together… no exceptions 3. My wife and I name our pets after famous scientists (our misunderstood parrot is named “Einstein”), and 4. I’m one heck of a mean beatboxer.
10. What’s your favorite cereal? Deli meat?
Any and all (as long as they meet the qualifications set above). As for deli meat, I tend to be a spicy food type of guy, and since wings aren’t a deli meat, I’ll just go with Boar’s Head Buffalo Chicken.
11. Any parting words?
My sincerest gratitude to all the Quirky staff for helping to turn this idea (and many others) into a reality. I also have to give my thanks to all the community members for their constructive criticism, positive feedback, and desire to get the Click ‘n Cook to the shipping point (big thanks to Chad S., Jene H., and Eric R. for their awesome naming, tagline, and logo work). The Ende family couldn’t be happier!
