American Inventor 2, Episode 3: Chicago Beats New York

Welcome back to ingenuity and wackiness as American Inventor goes to New York and Chicago this week!

Last week, our judges saw thousands of contestants and chose a finalist in L.A. and in San Francisco. In L.A., the finalist was 45-year-old high school teacher Rick DeRennaux, who invented H.T. Custom Built Racers. A teenager (or anyone, for that matter) can design, engineer, and build remote control electric cars, trucks, boats, and airplanes all in the same kit by using a computer and printing out their designs on regular paper. They are then able to cut it out and fold it up to create the body of the car, truck, or whatever they are building. Even the tires are 100% paper. Then it's time to add the motor.

In San Francisco, the finalist was Greg Chavez, a fireman who has invented the Guardian Angel. He tells us the idea was born out of the desire to save the lives of children. It is a fire-protection system for a Christmas tree that includes what looks like a wrapped present to go under the tree, a hose that is hidden within the tree, and an angel at the top. Under the angel's skirt is a plug. If the plug melts, it sprays down two gallons of water under the tree, extinguishing the fire before it can really get going. I am very happy about this one. Greg is now financially able to build a working prototype of the Guardian Angel. So far, I want Greg to win the whole thing.

Our judges are now continuing their search across America for one finalist each in four more cities to all compete for the grand prize of one million dollars, and the title of the next great American Inventor. The search continues tonight in New York and Chicago. And what the judges see, even they can't believe. Inventors have been camped out for days, and they are about to come face-to-face with our four judges.

George Foreman has established himself as the judge who sees the good in everything. Sara Blakely grew her invention Spanx into a global fashion force. She knows what works and how to sell it. Pat Croce, entrepreneur and best-selling author, has become the voice of reason among the judges. Peter Jones, British mogul with a half-billion dollar business empire, is the toughest judge of all.

One winner from New York and one winner from Chicago will each become finalists and receive a check for $50,000 to further develop their inventions. We begin in New York, with Nick, our host. Nick tells us that the judges are looking for that one great idea that will become a global phenomenon. The Big Apple is home to millions of people from around the world, but will New York have the million dollar idea?

First up is 71-year-old retired Carlo Giansanti with his nameless copper for good health invention, which consists of copper mesh breathing masks, a copper mesh-lined hat, and a very wiry and uncomfortable looking weaved copper mask, for him to wear when he goes to sleep. Carlo is convinced that all of these copper things are keeping him in good health. Indeed, Carlo even tells us that he doesn't need his glasses anymore, that he can see like an eagle now. Then he puts on a pair of copper mesh-lensed glasses. Oh jeez. Poor guy. The judges laugh, they can't help it!

Peter asks him if his doctor told him to carry on with the copper stuff, or did he give him some medication. Hehe. I love Peter. Carlo said he didn't know, he hadn't been to the doctor in four years, and that his doctor thinks he is dead. The judges laugh again, as do I. Carlo is very entertaining, but I'm not seeing a yes from any of the judges, who decide it is time to vote. Pat's a no. Peter's a no. And that's that.

Outside of the room, Carlo tells us that if America can't produce his product, then maybe China will. I don't want to laugh at the guy, but copper products for health have already been invented. People wear those copper bracelets everywhere. Oh well, too bad, he really is very charming.

New York starts off with a no, but thousands more are waiting to prove that they are the next great American Inventor.

Next up is James Davis, a 49-year-old swim coach. His invention is The Dry Swim Trainer. James says the Trainer can give one the benefits of swimming, and learning to swim, without water. Looks good, so far, as I am thinking it might be good for people who don't have time to get to the pool every day and good for people to learn to swim without the fear of sinking.

Ohhh, no, now he gets on the Trainer, frontside down, to demonstrate it. Both James and his assistant forget to strap him in, so he has no control over his own Trainer. The judges don't know whether to be concerned or laugh. James' demonstration is going downhill fast as he struggles to gain control, and finally remembers to tell his assistant to strap him in. Ha! I realize that it's easy to forget stuff when under serious pressure, but this is too much!

Finally, and a huge, nationwide sigh of relief later, James has control of his Trainer, and demonstrates how it moves to simulate free style swimming. But at this point, the judges are trying very hard not to laugh, and not succeeding very well. Peter makes James' assistant go near him, as he is concerned James will fall off the Trainer. He says that James has just demonstrated that if you want to go swimming, you go to a swimming pool. Then they vote. Peter is a no. Pat is a no. It's such a no that the fat lady is not just singing anymore, she has now moved on to dancing, too. Peter says he thought James was going to kill himself, and they all laugh.

Alrighty, then. Next, please.

Oh, here we go. As if the judges aren't having a hard enough of a time keeping a straight face, here comes Tom Jermyn, a 44-year-old self-employed attorney with his Body Squeegee. Yep, just what it sounds like. It is contoured to be used to dry oneself off without using a towel. The poor judges are really trying to contain their laughter. George, of all judges, has heard enough and wants to vote. Sara's a no. Pat's a no. Peter's a no. George tells Tom to “Keep punching."

So far, no one in New York has gotten a "yes" from the judges. By law of averages, someone in has to soon, right?