What participants say …

Hoopla Rack,
third place and $4,000,
2008 Schoofs Prize for Creativity;
third place and $700,
Tong Prototype Prize;
and Younkle Best Presentation Award

“Through the whole process, I actually began to see my design turn into a prototype, and now my prototype might actually become a patented reality. By the end, I was so happy that I had chosen to take a chance on myself and do something that brought my engineering and hooping life together.”

—Danielle McIntosh

Pen Smart,
$1,000 Judges’ Award for Special Merit,
2008 Schoofs Prize for Creativity

“I thought of this product two years ago—I wrote it down and kind of forgot about it for awhile. And I realized that if I didn’t do it, I’d always regret it, so I just decided to pursue it. The competition is a great outlet for anyone interested in innovation and development. The experience gives you the tools to develop the idea and the confidence to continue.”

—Daniel Gartenberg

Innovators in the news …
articles about past competitors

Mechanic's Creeper Head and Neck Support

Mechanic's Creeper Head and Neck Support: A mechanic's creeper designed to reduce injury through an adjustable head and neck support.

Mechanic's Creeper Head and Neck Support, raised position (large image)

Mechanic's Creeper, lowered (large image)

"I thought of this a couple of years ago after experiencing neck fatigue while working on a creeper under a vehicle. I wanted it to be hands free and have my head and neck supported. So I came up with having a gas spring. The spring would allow a 0 to 45 degree angle without using hands. Lifting your head allows it to come up and just a small amount of pressure will bring it back to zero degrees. My design is adjustable to several kinds of creepers.

I built the prototype according to the plan but it was too stiff. It took too much pressure to bring it back down to zero degrees. I tried a number of new things until I could make it comfortable for a range of people."
— Derek Christianson

Innovator: Derek Christianson