Semi-finalists have been announced!

Ann Androla – THE BICIE The Bicie is a hand-knit cotton rectangle with five holes on each side through which two ribbons are threaded to produce multiple configurations and uses for all your baby’s needs including bottle cover, burp cloth, baby cleaner, bib/crumb-catcher, and binky carrier.

Joanne Bartone – THE ECOCLIP The EcoClip slides onto the tops (and/or bottoms) of corrugated boxes to provide environmentally friendly, economical, quick and easy tape-free solution for closing boxes. It can be easily and affordably manufactured through plastic mold extrusion to include various sizes for multiple needs, reused repeatedly and recycled when worn.

Randy Brewer – BARE BACK A razor to do the unpleasant task of shaving the male back. This design would allow an individual to shave their back without assistance from others. With the length of a shower brush and a curved handle, it would ensure safe trimming.

James Edgett – CHAIN LINK IVY A manufactured vinyl ivy vine transforming a normal chain link fence under the guise of an ivy fence. Attempts to beautify the mundane chain link fence.

Clarence Edwards – TIRE SHINE WHEEL COVER This wheel cover keeps tire shine products from unintended areas when tire shine is sprayed onto vehicle tires. Tire shine wheel covers prevent tire shine products from being sprayed onto disk brakes as well as eliminates clean up time devoted to removing overspray from unwanted areas.

William Legler – BIRDIE BUDDY A stand for deep frying a turkey that is safe, easy to assemble, dissemble, clean and store.

Marni Loesel – BUILT-IN BOTTLE OPENER The Built-In Bottle Opener is incorporated right into the cardboard six-pack bottle carrier. In utilizing the heavy parts of the handle, an opener is created that can be recycled instantly after opening the six bottles.

Paul J. Malaspina – PEDI-PRO The Pedi-Pro is an innovative emergency kit for pediatric resuscitations, life saving efforts when every second matters. The kit brings the ultimate set-readiness of the Operating Room to the scene of the emergency.

Rebecca Niemeyer – ENVIRO-CONSCIOUS GROWLER BAGS Bags constructed of material destined for landfill.

Ryan Rzepecki – SOCIAL BIKE SYSTEM The Social Bike System (SoBi) is a public bike share system that uses GPS, mobile communications, and a secure lock that can attach to almost any bicycle and lock to any regular bike rack.

Ian C. Short – TOBY CARDS A unique collection of artist designed note cards. “Toby Cards” incorporate bold color, wry humor and off beat concepts. Inimitably suitable for framing, “Toby Cards” distinguish their senders and collectors as astute, cultured individuals.

David Treusch – SLEEPY TIME PALS A Sleepy Time Pal is a stuffed animal with an alarm clock inside, designed for children who have trouble waking for school. To arm or disarm the clock, squeeze a hand. At night, it closes its eyes and says goodnight. In the morning, it opens its eyes and greets the child.

Michelle Vanco – CAR SEAT PONCHO A slip on cover for any model car seat that protects your baby from wind, rain, sun, and cold, while still allowing baby the room and ability to play with toys. It can also be used as a lap blanket or poncho.

Peter Vanco – SOCKET WRENCH This new adjustable socket wrench can fit a wide range of nuts and bolts, standard and metric. Also, the wrench includes teeth extensions, allowing a farther reach if necessary.

Holly Villella – PIXS Pixs are portable compression stocking donning and doffing aides. Pixs’ strategically weighted plastic construction helps users grasp and leverage stockings without damaging fabric. Measuring 3-1/2" from traction grasper to streamlined pull loop, Pixs’ ergonomic design lessens hand and wrist stress.

The exhibit will open July 14, 2010 and run through October 31, 2010 at the Main Gallery of the Erie Art Museum.
There will be an opening reception on July 30, 2010 from 7 – 9 pm.

Sponsors include Erie Technology Incubator – Gannon University, Edinboro University – Star-Up Incubator, MacDonald Illig Jones & Britton LLP, Paradign Designs, Erie Bank, The Innovation Center at Penn State Erie – The Behrend College.

Next year's deadline will be May 11, 2011 ~ start inventing!

© DD