American Inventor, Episode 11: This Guy’s Nuts or He’s Brilliant

At the top of the show there is a fast-moving parade of the wildest, most wacky inventors: the Yosemite Sam lookalike’s smoking flavor gun (also good for flea riddance), the Bladder Buddy (of course), the Naughty Knot, Shapoopie, the Diva of disposable bedding, the busty babes with the quadruple D bra, yadda yadda.

Viewers who might have strayed, but have returned for the finale, might be interested to know about the close-up of the weeper blubbering over his wife’s live-for-today words. What caused all this emotion? The voice-over fails to remind us that this is the inventor who believes in family togetherness after death. The also-ran idea is a compartmentalized canister with space for ashes of all your dearly departed - convenient for families on the move. When you’re relocating out-of-state, no need for long journeys to visit loved ones who have passed on, simply cast your eyes to the mantle where the deceased members of the extended family reside.

Then there are some action shots of also-ran Joe Safuto in meltdown mode during a business meeting in which things weren’t going his way for Flushpure’s toilet seat consultation. The malfunctioning Tonerbelt is shown clobbering the hapless traveling salesman trying to stay fit on the road when, whoops, the rubber pulley slips its grip and he’s K.O.’d. We almost get to see Death of a Salesman.

Now to the top four finalists and what it took for them to beat out 400 inventors who auditioned for this show. Detroit factory worker/gym owner Erik Thompson is an inspiring guy. He’s blown off his home’s foreclosure, the loss of his job, and eviction from the gym where he trains inner city kids – all to follow his dream which started as the football receiver’s training pole. Erik’s focus is on the newly stream-lined “Catch.” We see how this idea has gone from an ungainly device to a more practical, ergonomic design.

Peter’s words to Francisco Patino, the 19-year-old Columbian immigrant, are reprised: “I know what it’s like to come from nothing.” This encouragement stokes the teen who says, “I could be that guy.” But, asks his mentor Mary Lou, “Is Francisco ready?” She has confidence in his energy and passion, and proclaims his Double Tract Bike the competition’s purest invention. Francisco taps into her faith, telling her, “I do embody the American Dream.” It’s a good thing he has the right engineering stuff because when Ed and Peter are shown test riding the first prototype, they discover that the bike has no brakes. Mary Lou is a proud mama who points out the inventor’s improvements to increase safety with modifications to protect the front rider from flying off in a quick-stop, and a slanted handle to add maneuverability from the rear.

Predictably, Ed Hall’s journey begins with his darkest moment on the show. His Word Ace board game computer disc was lost during development with consultants. He hit bottom and was so frustrated, the one voice he needed to hear was his mom’s. Instead, placing the call reminded him that she’s still living in a basement, and he dwells on the loss of his NBA dream which would’ve enabled him to buy her a house. Instead, a teaching career prevented him from helping her out the way he wanted. Mom quickly snaps him out of self-pity by reminding him that she’s glad to have a roof over her head.

Ed pulls it together, and next we see him at the focus group of school kids where they call Word Ace “The funnest game ever.” With that ringing endorsement, he’s back on track as he realizes he has more passion for his board game invention than he did for basketball. Peter’s endorsement says it all, “I believe it will be America’s best-selling electronic game.”

Doug once again says he is honored to have mentored the Polish-born mechanical engineer/physicist. Janusz Liberkowski’s spherical child safety seat is re-named Anecia, in honor of his daughter whose death in a car accident inspired the invention. Doug visits the family’s home in Los Gatos, California, and once again we’re happy to see Janusz’ devoted wife and his toddler twins.

We follow Janusz through his trials and the judges’ concern that there are two prototypes: one a conceptual design model and the other a mock-up device for the crash test. In the simulated collision, the safety seat does what it’s supposed to do after impact. It rotates a full 360 degrees. Supervising engineers find the results very promising and incredibly positive.

Ed gives a final pep talk about his guy Erik, who the judge determines is a great package. He says the inventor has personality and drive, and it goes without saying, persistence.

Mary Lou says that she chose Francisco because he is relentless and he follows his gut. The young immigrant adds, “I want to earn the title American Inventor.”

Peter showcases his Word Ace inventor, and once again endorses this game as one that could find its way into homes all across America. Ed says the promise of his invention is bringing friends and families together and increasing kids’ literacy.

Doug sums up the reason he is on the show as he proudly talks about Janusz’ child safety seat, “This is the kind of brilliant invention we hoped to find in this competition.”

Mary Hart is a college professor and newspaper columnist enamored of the popular culture context of Reality TV. Feedback: mhart12@mscd.edu.

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