Tue 15 Dec 2009
As we always do when a product moves into manufacturing – it’s time to hear a few words from Stephen Stewart the original ideator behind Cordies – our on your desk cable management system
1. When did you think of the idea for Cordies?
There’s a little glass stand I have on my desk for my iPhone. I had used it to keep my laptop’s power cord on my desk when I unplugged it, as I was sick of fumbling around on the floor for it. The glass stand sort of reminded me of a paper weight, and so one day I had the brainwave of having a little weight specifically for cables. I think I was driving at the time the thought hit me.
2. Had you tried to make this thing on your own already?
No, though I had improvised with anything that happened to be lying around my desk.
3. What do you do? (job-wise, ya know, when you are not on quirky)
I am a lawyer, specialising in commercial contracts, IT and IP. Having advised on IP aspects of product design in the past, being involved in the whole product development process has been quite interesting for me. In my spare time, when not on Quirky, I spend a lot of time listening to, making and playing music.
4. Where are you from?
Belfast, Northern Ireland, though I now live in Leeds, England.
5. Who/where do you derive your creative inspiration from?
Ultimately my parents I guess, and my brothers. We are a creative family. Oh, and Slash of course.
6. What do you wish quirky had that it does not already?
A general discussion board so we can talk about things generally, rather than as comments on products or blog posts; a good description of the product selection process (i.e. what goes on after ratings); sales counters after presales; detail about the next steps for products after presales targets are met.
7. What store would you love to see Cordies in?
Basically as many as possible of course. But in terms of specifics, the Apple Store would be cool, as would the online gadget retailers (e.g. in the UK Firebox, IWOOT, etc) and tech stores, the big supermarkets….
8. What is your favorite deli meat? What is your favorite cereal?
Deli meat: ham. With cheese. In a baguette. In Paris. Cereal: Muesli with lots of extra nuts and fruit. But really I’d rather have sausages, bacon, soda bread, potato farls, scrambled eggs and black pudding, washed down with about five cups of tea.
