"Invent Help" Invention Newsletter - November 2007

Christmas Shopping Guide: Gadgets & New Inventions

Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is still weeks away. What better way to kill the time than shopping! At least, that's what the toy companies, clothing stores and electronics boutiques want you to do. Even if the thought of frenzied shoppers and an overcrowded mall makes you nervous, it's hard to resist all the bargains. Plus, there are so many gadgets and new inventions out this year that you may find yourself buying them for both you and the kids!

Read about Christmas gadgets and new inventions

A Famous Invention Dispute

How many times have you watched a commercial for a new toy or a new tool and thought, "That was my idea!"? They say that great minds think alike, so it's no real surprise that simultaneous discovery is very common in the inventing world. Inventors have a knack for recognizing problems and developing solutions, but what happens when two inventors come up with the same solution to the same problem? The answer is, sometimes, a feud.

Learn more about the famous Davy vs. Stephenson invention dispute

Who "invented" the modern American Flag?

It's not Betsy Ross. The current flag was designed by a 17-year-old named Bob Heft. As part of a class project, he redesigned the flag to recognize Hawaii and Alaska. His teacher awarded him a "B-minus." Heft lobbied for a better grade, but the teacher said he'd only award an "A" if Congress accepted his design.

Read more invention trivia from InventHelp