Featuring more than 100 quirky innovations and inventions, this visual showcase captures a great can-do spirit and creative energy. All the clever amateur creators profiled here brought their ideas to life right in their own homes; the fruits of their imagination range from the useful (a "Finger Shield" for when you're chopping food) to the offbeat (a nappy for your pet bird). There are items for people on the go, to help you look your best and to make life easier at home - and electronics too. Get the background story on every invention, along with a statistics-filled sidebar, photographs, illustrations and diagrams to add to the fun!
Gadget Nation
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Greenberg, a writer and "innovation insider" who works the quirky device beat, looks into a number of those "why didn't I think of that" (and "why did anyone think of that") products in this colorful, fully illustrated guide. From the incredible (bird diapers) to the practical (mom's third arm, a flexible bottle-holding device that attaches to car seats) to the ingenious (the slanket, a blanket with sleeves) to the goofy (a kitchen utensil for turning a hot dog into an octopus), Greenberg profiles odd products and the oddballs behind them, dutifully chronicling the ups and downs of inventor-dom. Though the products are interesting, the real story is in the arduous trip from garage to store shelf, a long, expensive and risky enterprise. Greenberg finds inventors in all stages of the process, many of whom face the chilling prospect of losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. It's the exceptions that drive them: Craig Ramsell's Boomwhackers, a brightly colored children's musical instrument; Bob Sotile's Conedoms, ice cream cone holders that save fingers from drips; and Todd Greene's Headblade, an ergonomic scalp razor, have all earned their creators millions. Non-inventors will enjoy the bizarre product showcase, while inventors will benefit from the case studies, back stories and Greenberg's insightful tips on product development, trademarking and patents.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Steve Greenberg has appeared on American shows such as ABC's World News This Morning and World News Now, Fox & Friends, the Discovery Channel's Your New House and HGTV's Dream Builders. Steve writes for numerous magazines, newspapers and websites and his "Innovation Insider" features appear in the Miami Herald, ROOMS and other newspapers and magazines.
--This text refers to the
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Jeff Ronci
Format:Hardcover
Steve Greenberg's book is funny, informative and--this part surprised me--quite touching. The drive, imagination and optimism of these inventors, wacky though some may be, form the heart of what makes America, and the human being, so great. Can't wait for the author's next book.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By D. Prokop
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is 240 pages of creative and wacky inventions. All of the inventions solve a problem, some problems not too important, others we struggle with every day and wish we would have thought of that! I read every page and tried to guess if the product made money or not. Most of the time I was surprised the inventor didn't make more money, because they had such a good idea! I would have liked this book to go into more details of how to bring an invention to market, make it yourself or license it to a manufacturer? However, this collection of products illustrates the huge number of great inventions we never hear about, probably only 10% of these every make it onto store selves. What website can we buy them from?
Thanks Steve, keep up the good work.
David
Thanks Steve, keep up the good work.
David
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Laurie
Format:Hardcover
I loved it. I learned so much about what goes on in the making of inventions. I'm curious what my neighbors are doing in their spare time! A great conversation starter. I'm usually not interested in this stuff but the way the book was written made it easy to follow. I am looking for other books by Steve Greenberg. I am definately a fan.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Jeff O.
Format:Hardcover
Gadget Nation is a great read. It's very well written, easy to read and extremely entertaining. It's just amazing what people will come up with in terms of products. Most of the products are at least somewhat useful but some of them are downright weird! The author does a very good job outlining the histories of the products and telling the inventors' stories. Highly recommended.
Jeff from California
Jeff from California
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By C. Wallach
Format:Hardcover
I got this gift for my dad for his birthday and was surprised by how much I loved it! So I got one for me too.
It's one of those surprising books that you don't want to put down because you just have to see what's next in the wacky world of invention. The layout is fun and easy on the eye. And the tone is a fabulous mix of funny and factual with a refreshing touch of heart.
This book would make a great gift, and would be a fun ice breaker at a party too. We plan to keep our copy on the coffee table where everyone can enjoy!
I think this whole concept would make a fun TV show one day too!
It's one of those surprising books that you don't want to put down because you just have to see what's next in the wacky world of invention. The layout is fun and easy on the eye. And the tone is a fabulous mix of funny and factual with a refreshing touch of heart.
This book would make a great gift, and would be a fun ice breaker at a party too. We plan to keep our copy on the coffee table where everyone can enjoy!
I think this whole concept would make a fun TV show one day too!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Cindy
Format:Hardcover
Thumbs up for Steve Greenberg! I just bought your book last night and it is hilarious!! My son and I went to dinner last night and while we were waiting for our order, we were going through the book. Well, we had a grand old time looking at all the kool inventions and laughing hysterically. At one point, it took my son a few minutes to actually tell me what he thought about one of the inventions because he was laughing so hard, and what a great idea it was. Thanks for bringing some amusement and some fun ideas into this rough world we now live in.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By D. Saul
Format:Hardcover
I am one of the inventors in the book--page 108 :). As you might imagine I was a bit nervous about what Steve was going to say about my invention; Hand Crafted Personalized Marshmallow Roasting Sticks for toasting perfect marshmallows. I had no idea what he was going say until the day he said, "OK, the book is in the stores." Unfortunately, my local stores didn't have it yet, so I immediately ordered it from Amazon; probably saved some cash as well. As I opened the package, I was very impressed with the look and feel of the book. It can definitely be at home on your coffee table. It's a good read and is absolutely worth the money you will pay for it. I agree with others that it is a great gift item that will be enjoyed by whomever receives it.
The design is fresh and the writing creative, clear and fun to read. It really does entice one to look at the next invention. You'll show it to friends and family and have fun checking all the cool stuff out. I've been skimming around from invention to invention so far, and look forward to reading each one.
Steve and his team absolutely captured the jist of my interview although my product's price is outdated; but that would be expected with any book. Thanks for including Marshmallow Chef Sticks in your book Steve. I wish you much success and look forward to your next book.
And if the folks reading this review want another cool and unique gift, check out [...] and get a few personalized marshmallow cooking sticks for your loved ones. Your Family and Friends Will Still Be Thanking You For This Thoughtful Gift For Many Years to Come!
The design is fresh and the writing creative, clear and fun to read. It really does entice one to look at the next invention. You'll show it to friends and family and have fun checking all the cool stuff out. I've been skimming around from invention to invention so far, and look forward to reading each one.
Steve and his team absolutely captured the jist of my interview although my product's price is outdated; but that would be expected with any book. Thanks for including Marshmallow Chef Sticks in your book Steve. I wish you much success and look forward to your next book.
And if the folks reading this review want another cool and unique gift, check out [...] and get a few personalized marshmallow cooking sticks for your loved ones. Your Family and Friends Will Still Be Thanking You For This Thoughtful Gift For Many Years to Come!
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Gadget Nation, a perfect name and a great book!
John Higgins, proud Inventor [...], A reviewer, 04/19/2008
Steve Greenberg has sucessfully caputred the trials and tribulations of Inventor's. It's not easy, but it can be rewarding, Steve portrays. The Inventor is a special breed of cat, an optimist with a can do attitude, creating, marketing, and trying to sell their invention, what a Brotherhood. Gadget Nation, a perfect name and a great book! It is not as easy to bring an invention to market as one probably thinks, sometimes selling the idea/product is more remarkable than the invention.
John Higgins, proud Inventor [...], A reviewer, 04/19/2008
Steve Greenberg has sucessfully caputred the trials and tribulations of Inventor's. It's not easy, but it can be rewarding, Steve portrays. The Inventor is a special breed of cat, an optimist with a can do attitude, creating, marketing, and trying to sell their invention, what a Brotherhood. Gadget Nation, a perfect name and a great book! It is not as easy to bring an invention to market as one probably thinks, sometimes selling the idea/product is more remarkable than the invention.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book, bought the PurrFect Opener and love it
A fun and interesting book containing various solutions to product pains. For opening medicine bottles, opening aspirin bottles and/or removing cotton balls, and removing blister... Read more
Published 4 months ago by R. Mazur
3.0 out of 5 stars
not really interesting
mostly upgraded versions of baby and home,not really gadgets at all, was expecting something different. Might be ok for domestics.
Published 5 months ago by solomon
5.0 out of 5 stars
very amusing book, everyone who's seen it loves it!
this book is entertaining, amusing and sort of inspiring.
It makes a great coffee table book, or even bathroom book, as every turn of the page shows a different invention with... Read more
It makes a great coffee table book, or even bathroom book, as every turn of the page shows a different invention with... Read more
Published on July 21, 2010 by Alex
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gadjet Addict
At 74, I've had a lifelong interest in strange, but useful products - and I always will. This book is a goldmine of information that relates to the costs and time expended on many... Read more
Published on October 21, 2009 by Jay Pickens
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must-read for all aspiring inventors!
This book should be on every inventor's night-desk and should be read from cover to cover! Where else can you get inside information from over 100 inventors, their successes and... Read more
Published on July 6, 2009 by Ron Reardon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly Readable Book About Wacky and/or Fun Gadgets is a Winner
From its eyecatching, colorful cover to its useful index, this book is a must read for any gadget addict. Want to know more about bird diapers? Read more
Published on December 7, 2008 by Donny B. Seagraves
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting gadget stuff!
I bought this book for my husband for Father's Day and he loved it. It's full of quirky and unusual but workable gadgets to make life easier. Read more
Published on July 8, 2008 by Jane M. Wyatt
4.0 out of 5 stars
Book is Pretty Fun!
Title Says It All.... This book is pretty fun!
It is a great summary of the American Dream - making that one invention that will let you retire and live happily ever... Read more
It is a great summary of the American Dream - making that one invention that will let you retire and live happily ever... Read more
Published on May 19, 2008 by Chris
