Wouldn't it be fantastic to have one revolutionary, life-changing, Mark Zuckerberg- or Steve Jobs- worthy "Eureka!" moment that translated into a patentable and highly profitable invention? The closest most of us have come is reenacting that scene from Romy And Michelle's High School Reunion in which Romy claims she invented the ubiquitous, office-ready sticky notes to impress her former classmates. And yet design brand Quirky specializes in offering consumers everyday solutions to little inconveniences and nuisances — many of which you might not have considered prior to encountering these gadgets. HSN is applauding Quirky's forward-thinking ethos by carrying a range of gadgets from the brand, all of which aim to lessen clutter, aid in multi-tasking, and simplify daily tasks.
One of our favorite offerings is the Scratch-N-Scroll (pictured at top), which fuses together the mouse pad structure with the reusable writing slate provided by such groundbreaking toys as the Etch-A-Sketch. This rectangular rubber-and-plastic pad measured 9 1/2" in length, 8 1/2" in width, and 1/4" in height and features a non-slip rubber base, a slim stylus for quick note taking, and a semi-transparent sheet on which you can write tasks, phone numbers, and memos. Using the accompanying stylus (which has its own nook on the side of the mousepad), you simply write down anything you desire, then grasp the parchment-like top sheet at the curved bottom edge and lift it from the base until you erase those scribbled notes. The invention is rather handy when you need to jot something down and simply can't find a piece of paper or a ballpoint pen — just know that it's not the ideal space for data you'll need to accent on a semi-permanent basis since the weight of a mouse rolling over the sheet is enough to speed up any note's disappearance (hey, this isn't a tattooed reminder for Memento-like protagonists). Also, the sheet does tear so try your best to be gentle with it. Otherwise, you'll likely be pleased with its durability as a mousepad and the convenience it provides as a reminder-packed tablet.
Need another example of a handy gadget? Check out Quirky's Wrapster Earphone Cord Wraps, which come in punchy colors like turquoise and purple, as well as basic black and white. Sold in sets of four, the Wrapsters are designed so that you can slide each ear bud through a slim, vertical plastic tube and then wrap it around a central bar to prevent any tangling and messiness when earphones aren't in use. And, if you have an iPhone, you can even use a Wrapster tube as a stand for your mobile device.
In addition to offering consumers organizational solutions, Quirky is also rolling out the red carpet for would-be inventors: as part of its partnership with Quirky founder and CEO Ben Kaufman, HSN is providing a space through which consumers can submit product ideas and have them evaluated by the Quirky team for possible development. Since the company unveils a new invention on HSN every month, there's a fair chance that some resourceful consumer will see his/her idea come to fruition and enter the marketplace — and, of course, that lucky goose will get bragging rights and the opportunity to cash in on the finished product. Ka-ching!
Quirky Scratch-N-Scroll Rewritable Mouse Pad, $14.95; Headphone & Earbud Wrapsters (Set of 4), $19.95. Available at HSN.com
