The year’s drawing to a close and the holidays are upon us. In the world of innovation, this means lots of lists of the best inventions of the year (gotta love the new one from Popular Mechanics), which then make their way onto our own holiday lists.
What’s on your list, for yourself and the tinkerers in your life?
One invention we’re talking about... but not itching to buy: The Palm Pistol, a newly invented, single-shot 9mm handgun designed for defensive use by persons crippled with arthritis, muscular dystrophy and other conditions that leave them unable to operate a standard handgun.
Irrespective of where you stand on the issue of gun control – we’re not touching that – one could make the argument that this product is both inventive and purposeful. But the story here gets far more interesting, and offers lessons for inventors in all product categories:
1. There are real questions about whether The Palm Pistol’s intended users will actually be able to operate it effectively. Specifically, we’re reading that a three-digit combination lock must be disengaged and two mechanical safeties must be depressed... by someone who lacks the strength and dexterity to operate a standard handgun... in order to fire The Palm Pistol’s single shot. Sounds like a case of Ready, Fire, Aim! The lesson: think about who you’re targeting (couldn’t resist) as your core user and then make sure you design for this user population. It also can’t hurt to test, test and test more to make absolutely certain you’ve optimized the design for these users.
2. The inventor sought an FDA medical device classification, which could pave the way for his handgun to be prescribed by doctors and reimbursed by Medicare. Really! An FDA employee even helped with the registration. Of course, there’s a HUGE difference between registering and getting approval, so it probably wasn’t a good idea for the inventor to hastily reach out and tell the media he was on track to sell the first prescription handgun – word travelled fast, leading to all sorts of stories of wheel chair vigilantes and grandparents packing heat... and the FDA yesterday shot down (again, couldn’t resist) the medical device registration. Do we now call this a Plaxico? The lessons: don’t underestimate the power of a creative angle that generates awareness and differentiates your invention. But also be sure to take a step back to consider if that creative angle might be considered beyond the pale and/or do you more long-term harm than good.
BTW, for more info on The Palm Pistol, including its official take on the FDA debacle and how it may appeal its case, click here to open Constitution Arms’ website.