Inventing For Dummies
by Pamela Riddle Bird, PhD
Foreword by Dr. Forrest M. Bird
Inventing For Dummies
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Copyright 2004 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2004102440
ISBN: 978-0-7645-4231-2
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7
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About the Author
Pamela Riddle Bird, PhD, is a nationally recognized commercialization expert whos counseled thousands of inventors and entrepreneurs over two decades.
After directing one of the largest publicly funded innovation centers in the United States, Dr. Bird founded and serves as CEO of Innovative Product Technologies, Inc., a product- and technology-based market commercialization corporation. Dr. Bird works with independent inventors, serving as a liaison between inventors and inventor organizations, venture capital organizations and other investors, manufacturers, entrepreneurial networks, and research park facilities.
Dr. Bird is the author of more than 70 publications and has been quoted and featured in numerous newspapers throughout the country including The New York Times, Barrons The Dow Jones Business and Financial Weekly, Forbes Magazine, and the Miami Herald. Shes a featured speaker in a video titled Inventing, Patenting and Profiting: How to Make a Fortune on a Small Budget by Inventing. She has been a guest on various TV shows, including Golden Lifestyles, and she appeared in and served as a consultant to ABCs 20/20. Shes also taught classes on product commercialization and technology transfer at various universities throughout the nation.
Dr. Bird co-branded the first credit card in the nation with MBNA (one of the largest credit card companies in the world) to start the first credit card for innovators, patent attorneys, and patent agents. All proceeds Dr. Bird receives from this card are donated to the Inventors Educational Foundation. Dr. Bird founded this nonprofit foundation that assists innovators and entrepreneurs of all ages and walks of life with educational and commercialization needs.
Among her many memberships and organizational affiliations, Dr. Bird served under three governors as commissioner for the Governors Commission on Women and an advisor for the Adult Community Education Board and also the Regional Coordination Council. Shes been the recipient of various recognition awards, including the Outstanding Community Service award, and has received letters of appreciation for community involvement in labor employment issues, child abuse prevention, crime prevention, and education needs.
Dr. Bird is also a pilot who also enjoys horseback riding, snow skiing, hiking, fly fishing, and working with youth science fairs.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to the inventors who risk everything to be different, to be creative, and to change the world. You make a difference. Its also dedicated to the supporters and service providers to inventors the people behind the scenes including the families who sacrifice to allow the creators to move forward. Its also dedicated to those inventors in the National Inventors Hall of Fame who show all others the difference one person can make in improving mankind for all generations.
To my husband, Dr. Forrest M. Bird, inventor of the medical respirator, whos spent the major part of his life inventing so that others may live including my own daughter. You stand in front of me to clear the way, beside me as my best friend and partner, and in back of me to protect me ahead. You are my great love and soul mate.
To my beloved mother, Julia Nicklyn Hudek. Mom made a large investment when she bore me the last of eight children. She believed in me, encouraged me, and was always there whenever I needed her. And, to my children, Julie Rachel Riddle and Robert Brandon Riddle. Rachel and Brandon, you never cease to keep me laughing, amazed, and always proud. You are my pride and joy. You are my shining stars as I am your M.O.M. (Mother on a Mission).
To my father, Albin C. Hudek, Sr., as well as to my brothers and sisters, Albin C. Hudek, Robert J. Hudek, Ronald B. Hudek, Frank J. Hudek, Elaine L. Pingle, Kathleen A. Gerard, and the late Michael A. Hudek.