7 th February 2008
Many people experience troubles whilst trying to undertake
DIY tasks at home – It may be using the wrong tool for the job
or trying to innovate in the absence of workshop environment – But for some that innovations can lead to a life changing route at the end of which is a product used around the world. Hickman admits to using domestic chairs as a support whilst sawing and the realisation that some sort of workshop aid was needed. Astonishingly whilst he and most others would have agreed that to be a great idea – the companies who were in a position to market such a product actually turned it down commenting that it would not sell at the intended selling price.
DIY tasks at home – It may be using the wrong tool for the job
or trying to innovate in the absence of workshop environment – But for some that innovations can lead to a life changing route at the end of which is a product used around the world. Hickman admits to using domestic chairs as a support whilst sawing and the realisation that some sort of workshop aid was needed. Astonishingly whilst he and most others would have agreed that to be a great idea – the companies who were in a position to market such a product actually turned it down commenting that it would not sell at the intended selling price.
Hickman believed in his own product and began to market it himself – and when it had become a success those same manufacturers chased him to purchase the rights to market and make the equipment he had designed.
Such an astonishingly successful product attracts copying but the world-wide patents on the “Workmate” (R) have allowed the pursuit of those manufacturers copying the design through courts around the world. There have been occasions when the duplicated product has been indistinguishable from the originals – compliment indeed to Hickman, the originator. Ron Hickman was also responsible for the design of the original Lotus Elan - the Elan Plus 2 and the Europa. At the time of these designs Hickman was director of Lotus Engineering. He has since created a new product with Mike Ritson and Maurice Willis - this is the Ring-dri
Inventors & Inventions
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