GooseGrl172 0 #1 September 20, 2003 Hello All Am new here and although I have never sky dived, I do wish to. I flew the Cessna 172 for a couple years but haven't in a while since I am now a poor 19 year old college student (before, my Mother was paying for it). I actually have a question for you all. I was wondering if you believe it when a new device is invented, whether the person listed as the inventor was really the first person to come up with the idea? Or were they just the first people to get the money to patent it? I ask this because for years I had the idea of the "Wing Suit" (even though I had never even sky dived before). I had the idea when I was a kid and all though the current product is just my idea in it's very early stages, it was my idea. I am still working on it and it is far more advanced. I'm just wondering how many other people out there had this idea (the wing suit) and for how long? I know I'm not the only one here. There must be others out there who have or had ideas like this but just either didn't think to have them patented, or didn't get the money in time. I'd also like to say I'm looking for an aerospace engineer to work with me on my current idea. (the reason I keep calling it my "idea" is because it is not patented nor does it have a license, so I need to keep it on the DL). Thanks Jessica Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #2 September 20, 2003 the idea of wingsuits have been around since before you were born .. so i'm sure you weren't the first to come up with it :) if you'd like to check out a tried-and-true wingsuit design, check out birdman, inc not every invention or idea is patented out there... Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkey1031 0 #3 September 21, 2003 had a similar situation in my life; i invented (at least i had never seen anything like it ever) a piece of equipment for travel, it's called a wheel. and WHAM, i went outside one day and they're freaking EVERYWHERE - it was like they sprang up overnight. they were on cars, on trains, mounted on boots no less (damn rollerblade). do you think anyone ever called me to see if it was o.k. to steal my idea? noooo... -or- are you fu(*ing kidding me? smd7 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TB99 0 #4 September 21, 2003 QuoteI know I'm not the only one here. There must be others out there who have or had ideas like this ... C'mon guys, don't bust her chops ... she never claimed she was the first or only inventer etc. To answer you're original question, Jessica, I personally don't think it's necessarily true that the first "inventor" was the first to concieve a product. Trailer 11/12 was the best. Thanks for the memories ... you guys rocked! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkey1031 0 #5 September 21, 2003 not really busting her chops... it was the "college girl" comment that got me. smd7 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GooseGrl172 0 #6 September 21, 2003 LoL thanks for the replies guys. I know, and obviously I wasn't the first to come up with the idea. It's my belief that just because someone patents an idea, does not mean they were the first to come up with it, or the true inventor. Was asking if you all believe the same (and it appears that some do). I'm sure wing suits have been around for a long time, definitely the article linked (thanks) suggest that. Noway we can know what everyone around the world is thinking up and doing.... I'm sure many of you have some wonderful innovations. In response to monkey1031, what was it about being a college student that "got you"??? Anyway, from reading posts, yall sound like a fun bunch. I look foward to reading more of your posts, and hopefully some day flying like some of you do. I also hope that some day some of you will be enjoying "my idea" if it ever comes into existance...Look forward to reading and posting! Jessica Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkey1031 0 #7 September 21, 2003 sorry, you caught me on a horrible day (45+ hours, no sleep). it was that someone in college had the wherewithal to "stumble" across a sub-site dedicated to wingsuits, yet didn't research it enough to find out that the idea (the wingsuit) has been around for quite literally, thousands of years, to then, call it "their" idea. unless you are speaking of some modification, or enhancement to wingsuits, that currently does not exist... that is a different story all together. again, yesterday was a "cynic's" day around the monkey cage. lack of sleep does this to me. flame away or accept my apology. smd7 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GooseGrl172 0 #8 September 21, 2003 Quotesorry, you caught me on a horrible day (45+ hours, no sleep). it was that someone in college had the wherewithal to "stumble" across a sub-site dedicated to wingsuits, yet didn't research it enough to find out that the idea (the wingsuit) has been around for quite literally, thousands of years, to then, call it "their" idea. unless you are speaking of some modification, or enhancement to wingsuits, that currently does not exist... that is a different story all together. again, yesterday was a "cynic's" day around the monkey cage. lack of sleep does this to me. flame away or accept my apology. smd7 It's entirely understandable, I can't even manage 24 hours well, let alone more than 45. And it was enhancements to the wing suit that I am talking about, not claiming the origional idea as mine (although I could have chosen a better choice of words to say that). I guess you could say that I am making some SERIOUS modifications to it if not an entirely different project, hopefully it will all work out well. Info. that I've looked up makes it look promising. My design looked a lot like the most current wing suits, in it's earliest stages. I'm working on a prototype now and again I'm still looking for people to work with me (I might have Bill Lishman interested). I have an aerospace engineer who offered to help me, but that was years ago, don't know if he's still up for it. Anyway, I'd like to get more info. on birdman instructors in my area. Are there any at Richmond in Virginia?I want to get started as soon as possible (reading here it says I will have to have 200 jumps before I can start with the wing suit)? Looks like I have a long ways to go. Man I really can't wait to get this underway! Am excited about it! Jessica Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kevin922 0 #9 September 22, 2003 check your PMs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,107 #10 September 22, 2003 >I actually have a question for you all. I was wondering if you believe it >when a new device is invented, whether the person listed as the inventor > was really the first person to come up with the idea? Or were they just >the first people to get the money to patent it? Generally it's the person who succesfully develops it first. I designed and built an EPROM-based music player in 1984 - basically an MP3 player. Never developed it because the FLASH technology of the time wasn't up to storing more than about a minute of music. People were jumping wingsuits back in 1939, but it hasn't been until recently that people have figured out how to make them safe and efficient. >There must be others out there who have or had ideas like this but just > either didn't think to have them patented, or didn't get the money in time. Patents mean little. I have a few; all they do is help you win a lawsuit if you try to sue someone. Coming up with a successful and manufacturable design, and then actually _doing_ it, counts for far more than having a patent. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ManBird 0 #11 September 23, 2003 DaVinci drew a few models out, as well. Flying on artificial wings has been thought of for as long as dreaming has been around."¯"`-._.-¯) ManBird (¯-._.-´"¯" Click Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
