Invention Inspiration

Whatever you’re designing, engineering or developing this week, take some time out to be inspired by the entrants at the International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva. A photo gallery on the Guardian website looks at several of the 789 exhibitors form 46 countries taking part. The article mentions in particular a hands free umbrella and a landing system for planes involving a series of parachutes. Some of the entrants are just prototypes, such as the folding electric bike, but all may give some inspiration regardless of your product or service area.  According to the article, “Even the ribbon-cutting was done by a humanoid robot.” The exhibition is in its 40^th year and organisers were pleased to see more than 60,000 visitors despite “the cost of the Swiss franc and the economic situation throughout the world”. For the full range of photos from the exhibition visit the website at http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gallery/2012/apr/19/international-exhibition-invention-geneva#/?picture=388907152&index=0