Meet 3 FOFs and enter to win their brilliant inventions.
To enter, answer in the comments, below: What invention has you constantly saying, “I wish I thought of that”?
Thank you for entering. This contest is now closed.
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Jill Fisher
Microdry Products
FOF Jill Fisher was the creative director at a brand development agency when she first came across the fabric that would become, Microdry. Her agency’s founder and CEO, Iain Scorgie, returned from China; after eighteen months developing towel-like material, which they would eventually patent; as it felt like velvet and was super absorbent. Jill saw the potential: “Before then, towels were either soft or absorbent,” she remembers. She and her team named it Microdry, and used it to create a line of consumer products, starting with baby bathrobes in 2005. They were a hit. Today, the company manufactures adult robes, hair towels, bath pillows and their best-selling item to date…the Microdry memory foam bath mat.
Win: A trio of Jill’s super-soft, quick-dry Microdry bath products: a luxury hair turban, memory foam bath pillow and memory foam bath mat.
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Melanie Mayron
Mayron’s Goods
Twelve years ago, expectant mom and former thirtysomething actress Melanie Mayron was having difficulty finding chemical-free baby products. “No one was talkin’ ‘natural’ then,” says Melanie. She’s since spent over a decade developing her all-natural baby skincare line, Mayron’s Goods, with the help of her Dad, a pharmaceutical chemist, and her actress friends, who tested the products on their own children! Our Best Barrier and Diaper Cream, was Melanie’s first bestseller… Newly launched are a body oil, body milk, chapped cheek and lip protector and more. “You don’t have to be a baby to use it. After all, we’re all somebody’s baby,” says Melanie. Read Melanie’s full story, here.
Win: A gift set of beauty products from Melanie’s all-natural skincare line, Mayron’s Goods
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Bonnie Steen
Roots Only
FOF Bonnie Steen spent years dying her hair at home to save money and time. Then a hairstylist friend told her she was seriously damaging her hair by repeatedly dying the whole shaft instead of just the roots. So she came up with an idea . . .
“I was combing out my tangles with a hair pick and suddenly thought ‘If this were hollow, you could attach a bottle of hair color to the handle and squeeze it out through the teeth,” says Bonnie. “You’d be able to comb and apply color to just the roots in one action.” Her husband Claude created the first prototype for the hair-color applicator comb in 1994. Now, Bonnie’s brainchild, Roots Only, is sold in over 4,000 Wal-Mart stores coast to coast. Read, Bonnie’s full (amazing) story, here.
Win: Roots Only, Bonnie’s hair color applicator comb.
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To enter to win these 3 products invented by FOFs, answer in the comments below: What invention has you saying, “I wish I thought of that”?
(See all our past winners, here.)
(See official rules, here.)
Contest closes February 24, 2011
0 Responses to “{Giveaway} Win 3 products invented by FOFs!”
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Joan alexander says:
love this site .. Always find interesting and fun info with every ‘click’. Tips are helpful. I look forward to checking in to see the latest!
ashley says:
i wish i had thought of dvd players
Sand says:
I wish I had thought of the Kindle, that thing is awesome!
R Hicks says:
I wish I had invented the paper clip!
ardy22 at earthlink dot net
Diana says:
I wish I would of thought of the flat iron, natural curly hair years ago I actually used to iron it straight with a clothes iron. LOL
Susan P. says:
I wish I had thought of and invented Velcro.
susan smoaks says:
i wish i thought of the ipad, i love it and wish i was the one profiting from it!
Becki says:
I wish I would have invented nail tips and super glue. I could have retired years ago.
Diane Baum says:
This would be very helpful and useful for me
kittycardero says:
I wish I thought of The Snuggie. I wore my robe backward on the couch for years, yet I never thought to make that into a product.
Happi Shopr says:
I wish I had thought of the brownie pan. My whole family loves the edges which leaves the middle not eaten much. This pan solved that.
shawna says:
I wish I had thought of the Memory Foam.
Jill Myrick says:
I wish that I had invented the hair dryer.
With four daughters we seem to go through quite a few of them.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Lynnmarie Doherty says:
I once saw the automatic toilet lid closer,and my first instinct was WOW,why didn’t I think of that. Raising 2 boys,and a husband(yes raised him too) I really wish I had not only invented it,bought had bought it(ask my& my daughters rumps from late “swims”). As for the products listed,any one of them would be a welcome gift.
Vicki Wurgler says:
microwave oven, hair dryers and computers.
jolene says:
i wish i invented post its, i use them all the time lol
c says:
kudos to all of the ladies featured, and for the products that they invented, and formulated.
the product that i wish i had invented was post-its.
i love to use them.
starsmom says:
the Shake Weight!!!
nickie says:
I wish I thought of the computer.
NICKIEISIS3atgmaildotcom
Marilyn Wons says:
The invention that has me saying “I wish I would have thought of that” is the rubber easy grips that one uses to twist open cans easily.
Soledad says:
Paper shredders are such a convenience and have saved many from identity thieves. If I had invented that, people would so appreciate me!!
But other than that, anything that would keep someone warm would also be appreciated for those of us who live in the Midwest.
Susan C says:
I wish I had invented the toaster-such an underrated lifesaver!
Terri Dell says:
I wish I had thought up video games
Christine Norman says:
Internet coupons – websites with these are very popular.
anne says:
I wish I would have invented the Microdry hair towel!
Great idea!!!
Rita says:
I wish that I had invented prosthetic breasts. After going through the pain, fear, and sadness of breast cancer I think that having a prosthetic breast would be a great boost to self-esteem.
b says:
This is such a fabulous idea…I will try to find this. When we are in Tucson, we fight the dry air and when we add our hair coloring to the mix the hair turns into dry fluff! I am going to try this.’
b
http://www.RetireInstyleBlog.com
Elyse says:
I would have to say I wish I had invented the food processor. That or the Oxo peeler.
Grayce Consulman says:
I was a hair dresser for many years and sure wished I had invented “the Root Applicator”
Vangie says:
I wish I can invent something that will recycle all unused cosmetic products; such as foundation, lipstics, shadow, etc. Imagine how many women buy cosmetics and did not like it or don’t use it ! Then it was just discarded for nothing. I am guilty I am one of them. Can some one help me? This is a great business,
Invented by FOF’s is a great idea. Thanks
Leona E Gibbs says:
There are so many wonderful things that make my life easier that it is hard to choose just one. I love my padded computer pillow board that I use with my laptop. I used to use a hard board after I got tired of having a hot lap, but when I saw the padded laptop board I fell in love. I can watch TV, answer e-mail, play games and still nod out in my chair it is so comfortable.
I love the root color only bottle. I have one and it is so much easier than sectioning. I quit full-head dying quite some time ago.
Debbie Chaney says:
I love the Microdry bath products. What a wonderful discovery–it’s a miracle product like sliced bread! Sure wish it was my idea. Thanks, Jill, for sharing it with the rest of us.
patricia lockhart says:
I would like the hair color applicator.That is a wow product for me.
Leslie Carcaise says:
The hair color applicator, ..Brilliant! That’s exactly what I need and I always have a heck of a time doing my own color. Give that lady a gold star!!!
Margarida says:
The product I wish that I had invented was the computer, because it has multiple uses. I use it to keep in touch with my college children, instantaneously transfer money into their bank accounts, research information, find weather and news reports. I also earned my Masters online!
Patti says:
Of the 3 things shown here, I think the “Roots only” item is fantastic! Great for those in-between touchups. Kudos to Bonnie for that!
Otherwise, my favorite thing is post-it notes. I cannot live without them in my office. I use them for everything!
newtoy says:
I wish I would have invented the post it notes. but oh well just don’t have the total smarts
Val says:
I wish I was an expert in computers so that maybe I would have thought of the E-reader. Since I am not good with the computer I would have liked to invent the super soft towels.
JoAnn says:
tie dyed clothes. Back in the 70’s they were great and they are defintely making a come back today. My daughter can’t get enough of tie dyes t-shirts!
Hannah B. says:
The first time I saw a Pet Rock, I actually said “why didn’t I think of that!” because it seemed that any idiot could have come up with the idea and made a lot of money, but I’ve never actually been jealous of an inventor. (Except maybe my husband, who is an inventor with lots of patents.)
Susan Bradley says:
Post It notes, just think about it…so simple
Christine Bilan says:
VELCRO!!!!!!! Self-explanatory…..no reason to expand.
Mara Kaplan says:
I wish that I thought of Webkinz. Very smart business model. You just have to keep buying those stuff animals over and over again so that you can keep playing the games on the computer.
Eugenie says:
Ear cuffs are a great invention for those of us who don’t have pierced ears. They are much more comfortable than clip-on earrings. I have converted many pairs of earrings made for pierced ears.
amy dendy says:
dry shampoo
thereislightonthehorizon says:
Of course we have our Edison and Gates in our electronic age but sometimes just looking in my immediate vicinity, I see things that someone else has”invented” and I am the recipient of them………the plate, fork, knife combo, then there’s soap, plumbing and TP…I could go on and on 🙂 So many of our basic needs weren’t even patented 🙂
Sometimes I watch my husband working and he has put together something with levers and angles and such to move HUGE 500lb or more boulders around the yard or lifted and raised car engines without breaking a sweat and I am totally amazed!!! Now, he and I both would like to meet the person/s who figured that one out!
elr says:
Liquid soap. It has sure made the soap dish cleaner. No more dirty bars of soap sitting around.
lorraine says:
I wish I invented post-it notes, although the 3 items highlighted are pretty cool.
Loraine says:
I wish I would have thought of the microdry hair towel its so hard for me to dry my hair with regular towels this one looks fab
DONNA B says:
There are so many inventions we use every day that I wished I had invented. Most of these items make life so much easier for all us. I wanted to be one of those creative people that have great vision for things yet to come.
Anne Wright says:
In my Christmas stocking was the greatest little stapler, a staple-less staple that punches through the paper and binds the pages together with an automatic fold/cut. No more metal staples to worry about when I shred, or to possibly step on when they get caught in my carpet. It is green by that I mean doesn’t use extra resources. All my friends want one now!
jane says:
Spanx, of course!
Mary says:
So many really great inventions!
If I have to pick one, I guess I’d pick the washing machine [ no limit on time frame, I hope].
Freedom in time and peace of mind.
Can you tell I’m washing sheets.
Katie M says:
Anything in the tech world,the computer perhaps?
TuKute says:
That MicroDry fabric. I had very long hair when I was younger and I thought of it many times but alas was never clever enought to bring it to fruition. It always took me a couple of hours to completely dry my hair. This give a great head start.
Laurie says:
Post-it notes – fun and useful in so many ways!
Karen says:
I never had a project to gave.
I had 5 kids + did daycare .
I did things with the kids and had fun.
Linda Lansford says:
I wish I had thought of post its
Cindy says:
I wish I had invented the banking system. 🙂
Peggy says:
I love the Microdry products. I wash my hair every morning and wrap my hair in the towel before putting on my makeup…before I have finished with my makeup the towel is about to fall in the floor or worse yet, in my face….
Kathy Dunaway says:
I wish that I had invented sunscreen.What a great invention,a skin saver and a life saver.
Thanks for the giveaway:)
Melinda Toungette says:
I wish I had thought of the simple and useful idea of Velcro.
Sunshyn V says:
I wish I’d thought of the smart phone.
EMMA L HORTON says:
I WISH I HAD THOUGHT OF ADDING OLIVE OIL TO MAYO….JUST A SIMPLE IDEA
Barbara Flournoy says:
Kudos to Jill Foster for her insightful idea. I love the memory foam pillow and mat ideas. I have gotten into the habit of placing a towel over the bath mat to step on (and absorb the water) after exiting the tub. I wish I had thought of this unique idea.
Monique Rizzo says:
I was just saying I wish I had thought of Heely Skate Shoes.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
Sandra Crispo says:
Do not think it has been done yet but, something that can be added to any food to make it taste naturally wonderful without being fattening, or harmful to you in anyway. Imagine how great that would be in trying to make young children eat a wide variety of foods and make people on restricted diets look forward to not eating bland uninspiring meals
Kristine P says:
The phone. It changed the way we communicate
Christine says:
good idea-retractable dog leash
Christy Weller says:
I wish I invented the telephone because there are so many neat phones out on market now, cell phones with keyboards, iphone etc.. all from an invention of the telephone. So, I wish I would have thought if that.
cweller75@gmail.com
Jaclyn Reynolds says:
It would have been nice to invent facebook!
Vera B says:
I wish I had invented the one-cup coffee maker. I don’t think I could live without mine! I know many people use the Keurig but my favorite is the Cuisinart.
I love the Microdry towel so much that I already have one. But would love to win either of the other two products.
Kim Cage says:
the invention I wish had been mine is superglue. It has so many versatile uses. But, I have to say my mom bought me a hair towel made of that material years ago and to this day I am still using it and it is fantastic!! These are great products and would love to win!!!!!
kay wolter says:
the bath robes…oh I wish…..and the baby goods
june eggers says:
The retractable dog leash. My “grandpuppy” loves to go for walks but isn’t trained enough yet to walk NICE. This leash makes things easier for both her and me. Wish I’d invented this.
Irishstar says:
Any of the products mentioned are definitely praise worthy. the one product that really jumped out at me was the toll used to dispense hair color. Although I no longer color my hair(I’ve embraced my grey!) I think I might still be coloring if I had that tool. I also love the microfiber for my thick coarse hair which takes forever to dry!
Susan says:
I love the towels!!!
Diane says:
I love threader earrings. They weigh nothing and earrings with any weight to them give me horrendous headaches. They are quite attractive, too. I wish I had thought of inventing them.
Robyn E says:
I would probably have to say the flat iron. I was born
with curly,wavy,locks and growing up all I wanted was
straight hair. Back then, there was perm solutions, and finally Curl Free came out, but did not work too good.
Also, it was harsh on the hair. Flat irons would have been
the way to go.
joni stein says:
I had to laugh a bit when I saw the quick dry turban. An older woman, now deceased, shared her idea of a fast
wrap turban that could be worn in a pool. She SWORE me to never use her idea! Of course I didn’t. But now I see an even better idea with a great fabric. It just made me smile.
Nancy says:
I’m a writer so I’d have to say WhiteOut, although it’s probably obsolete these days, but had a good, long, profitable run.
brenda helgeson says:
I wish I would have thought of the kindle. love having the reading without the pileup of books in my house.
Emma Peel says:
This is easy the set it & forget it, ron popeil rotissierre
Susan Smith says:
I wish I had thought of the Swifer mop, I know I use mine a lot.
Ellie W says:
When my kids were babies and we traveled in the car I always had to shield the sun from their eyes. Now I see those little sunshades for babies that you attach to the window with suction cups. I always think I wish I had invented that.
jeanine davis says:
the root touch-up color! it’s so great not to have to do my head for just a 1/2 inch of hair!
Debbie C says:
I wish I had invented memory foam products. So many are just a blessing to people who need cushiony comfort.
dchrisg3 @ gmail . com
Sharon Villalobos says:
I wish I had invented the Microdry products. Having come from a family where the women had ‘below the waist hair,’ (my daughter still does!), this product would be so helpful and save so much time especially after washing your hair and after going swimming. I also have divers in the family so this would be a God-send. I love the foam mat also. I recently slipped and fell on the wet, slippery floor of my bathroom which injured my back. The fall might have been prevented by using common sense products such as these. Bravo Jill! These products should be a staple in every-one’s home.
Charles Opperman says:
The Reacher Tool because of arthritis.
Jenn S. says:
That reacher tool – everytime I try and get something off a semi-high shelf, I wish I had one.
Laura Emerson says:
I have arthritis in my hands and each time I use my hand opener/gripper to help me open jars so easily I think “I wish I had thought of that!”
proberts says:
Facebook, of course
hazel hunt says:
The thing I wish I had invented was the cell phone. Seems to be what people can’t live without.
ferriz says:
there is this thing called a hipz bag. it is like a fanny pack but not so horrifying. the bag itself has clips on each side so you can clip it between your belt loops or use the attached waist strap. I have one and have been using it for my camera when on a trip.
so simple yet why didnt i think of that?? o.O
Kathy says:
There are so many things I wish I would have invented. From these featured sites, the products in a retro school lunch bag is the best invention.
As for all inventions, my thoughts go first to computers.
Chris says:
The bath products tempt me. Why doesn’t someone think about those of us way over 50 who still like to look fabulous and are doing fabulous things? The day I die, I want people whose lives I touched to be sad but glad that I was here. I refuse to act “old”. My face may not look it, but inside I am still a kid. How about looking those extra 10-20 years ahead of the “Fab 50” and do something additional for those of us who refuse to slow down and get old.
Karin F says:
Wish that I could have invented the doggie shower bath that hooks to the hot and cold water for outside.
Karin F says:
I wish I could ahve thought of some of the fantastic inventions that are out there, like the dog bath thing for outside that hooks to the cold and hot water.
zoe hunter lee says:
I wish i had thought of facebook or napster..sharing information is the way of the present and future.
cherryll says:
At the moment I can’t think of anything terribly specific. I can say I am amazed at the creativity and the diligence of the people that invent things. Whether it be the old neccisity is the mother of invention or just somehting that they see a need for all impress me that they make it come to fruitition. I loved that TV show (when I had a TV) that showed the inventors seeking backing for their inventions. They were committed and some of them were “oh, why didn’t I think of that”. I guess when I have found myself saying that it seemed to be more in the kitchen or for medical devices.
Erika says:
My family is still belly laughing at my whimsical idea for an invention: a rock, with a groove that would support a photograph (of one’s choice) with different sayings,song titles, etc. such as: “you ROCK my world” “you are my ROCK” etc.
I’m still giving this idea ample consideration so no one better beat me to it haha!
Hey! if Pet Rocks were a big hit and they served no purpose, my idea is far more functional and creative.
Can I patent this?
Valerie Clark says:
When I was young about six, my task was to do the dishes. To make it easier for me, my Mom took a plastic cylinder, filled it with soap. She poked a hole in one end and attached a sponge……hmmmm. I think I have seen that around since. I wish I had invented that.
Kim Lencsak says:
Silly Bands of Course….I’d probably be a millionaire by now…:)
joyzkim says:
Silly bands of course!!!! Yipes….I’d probably be a millionaire by now 🙂
Debbie says:
I wish I had thought up the blinds between the panes of glass for doors and windows. The never need cleaned and always stay in place, even with kids and pets.
AJB says:
The iPod!
cherryll says:
I may have to come back if I think on this a bit but most inventions amaze me! The creativity, and yes, often born of neccesity or just “I need something that will…” I liked that Tv show when I had a tv to watch it on, that had all the inventors looking for monetary support. Most were good ideas. I guese maybe some medical devices have been a why didn’t I think of that and a few I have considered getting going myself with the aid of my brother the engineering whiz.
Lori says:
I wish I’d have invented those little things to hang on a table (i.e. at restaurants) they are the greatest thing. Every woman should have one, they are nice because it keeps your purse off the floor and you can keep a better eye on it.
shari says:
I truly do wish that I’d thought of the Roots Only coloring system! Brava!!
Judy Meidel says:
I love the natural baby products. I hate the stuff they put on my grandchildren’s delicate skin. I’m always looking for natural stuff.
The Microdry is cool. I have something like it, but it does not help to dry my hair…
I usually color my hair. I’m told that I should just do my roots, however, I can never get just the roots.
You guys are very smart. Good job!
lllisa says:
Garlic presses are pretty exciting. So are staplers. and whistling tea kettles, and jump drives.
Sharon Tucker says:
I am amazed by anyone who can follow through on a good idea and make it a good invention! I couldn’t live without the Roots Only product. Thank you Bonnie Steen.
amie d says:
The ShamWow! It is easy to market and does not have hardly any material cost. If only…. Thank you!
Kathy Kefalas says:
Years ago as a new mom I lamented going to the grocery store because the carts are just so gross! We’ve all seen it – babies sucking on the handle, teething and drooling (among other things!) I remember the first time I saw the cart covers. My mom was with me and we both exclaimed simultaneously “Why didn’t I think of that?!” I really wish I had. 😉
Patricia Assanowicz says:
The Silly Bands, the little elastics kids wear around their wrists, in their hair. The bands are different shapes and colors, actually I did say, “Why didn’t I think of that” when I first saw these. The kids love them and I have purchased so many for my grandson and his friends for birthday parties, I thought how easy are these and WHY didnt I think of it?? I have to give hugh kudos to the person that created these bands.
Colleen C says:
Actually, I did invent something. Did the feasibility study, presented a paper…and then got busy with life and stopped the project. It was Monster.com. We didn’t have that name for it, and our concept was a bit different (this was before the internet, when bbs boards were still around), but it was essentially Monster.com.
Yes. Kicking self. Repeatedly.
😉
Gina says:
After years of buying those cheap $3 fleece throws, only to cut two slits in the sides so I could read a book with a blanket over me, I see a commercial for The Snuggi. I am pretty sure I screamed the same “NOOOooooooo!!!!!!!!” you would scream whe someone snatches your purse. I had been “snuggi’n” for years….oh if only!!! From a monetary outlook, who wouldn’t have liked to have founded Microsoft or AOL?!!
Sheila B. says:
Wish I’d thought of the Microdry products. Particularly the hair towel. Most folks are so busy that getting the most moisture out of your hair before blow drying or air drying is a real plus in speeding up the getting ready process. I’ve also gone to sleep with a towel over my pillow (not the best choice), but a more absorbient pillow would help me out!
joni stein says:
my husband must keep nitroglycerine nearby at all times. I have thought that a flat container that could be worn on a watch band would be an excellent idea. It would always be nearby and easy to get to.
jeanne nelson says:
Definately wish I can invented the roots only. Such a boon for home hair dyers. Clever lady!
Chrysa says:
The automatic garage door opener.
sharon910 says:
I Love the roots only I have used a comb putting the color on first but this is great
Darcy B says:
I wish I had invented the flat iron–so obvious!
Glenda Steffee says:
I think the shoelace is a very useful, practical and much needed item. Think of all the times your feet have swollen a bit and you have to loosen those laces. Or how many times you’ve used a shoelace for a bazillion other uses!
Lisa Brown says:
I wish I would have invented the smartphone or any cell phone for that matter. You can reach your loved ones where ever you are or whomever you need to reach, do your online banking and so many other things when you are on the go. It was an excellent invention, just not for people who are in line paying for things, that’s just rude, use it when it’s appropriate. These women had 3 great ideas. Wish I had thought of them too. Would love to win.
Chinchilla says:
I have long wished-for a roots-first touch-up device that would work with MY brand-of-choice. Now, I wish I had invented it! Bravo!