The old proverb, ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ was apparent in The Inventors’ Corner section of the recent Chicago’s International Home + Housewares Show (IH+HS March 2-5). The section of the show is home to a host of passionate start-ups and individuals showing new ideas for housewares and home products, many of which have personal stories behind their creation.
Amanda Hughes created the Honey at Home Lid Latch as a solution to taking cooked food to other people’s houses or the beach in her Crockpot. The Lid Latch is a reusable universal strap to secure the lids of pots, pans, slow cookers and casserole dishes. “I’m a good cook, so people always want me to take stuff to parties and gatherings – I used to use rubber bands, which would break,” reflects Amanda.
Inventor Eddy Clarke, ceo of Aidea presented his ComboTemps stainless steel bottle that can hold two different temperature liquids at the same time. Eddy explains: “I came up with the idea when we would take my son on driving trips. I would have to stop and go into a fast food restaurant and ask for hot water and then put the baby bottle in the hot water to warm up milk. I observed people carrying a water bottle and different containers for food, so I thought a bottle to fit food and liquid would be ideal.”
Meanwhile, Simply Spiked are interlocking reusable panels for creating food or floral art forms – meaning an end to sticking multiple cocktail sticks in foam. “You can create jaw dropping designs so easily – we have some amazing imagery on social media,” says Carina Wood from Simply Spiked.
The Sidesip travel mug was co-created by the Lopynski family after a driver crashed into the back of their dad’s car while drinking from a travel mug (obscuring his vision). The Sidesip enables someone to drink from a side spout meaning that vision is not obscured.
Ergonomics was the inspiration for the GrabOpener bottle opener from Zawsi. Its inventor, Mark Manger explains: “”It takes the natural motion of grabbing a bottle and it’s helping people with MS and arthritis as well as making things easier for anyone.”
Another exhibitor, Kim Burney invented the Mighty Carver to make carving meat more interesting. The electric knife is shaped like a chainsaw and has been dubbed the “most fun to use” turkey carver by The Wall Street Journal.
* Next year, the IH+HS will become The Inspired Home Show (March 14-17 2020). Visit www.housewares.org or TheInspiredHomeShow.com
Top: Holding some of the exhibits in Inventors’ Corner at the recent IH+HS: Eddie Clarke with his Combo Temp from Aidea, Kim Burney with her Mighty Carver, Cindy Fox with her rapid slicer, Anna Gifford with Grania Products’ Egg Stripper, and Charlene Lion with Relay Kitchen’s Hands-Free Grinder.
