Boy inventor re-imagines doorbell, gets VERY rich!
A 13-year-old boy from Croydon is set to make hundreds of thousands of pounds after inventing a doorbell that calls the householder if no-one answers the door.
The boy entered a school "Dragons' Den" type contest, and ended up with his idea in production. Orders made so far should earn him £250,000 ($411,000).
Three of his fellow contestants ended up with full patents on their ideas, and one other is negotiating with a Chinese manufacturer to get his idea on the shelves. That boy is only twelve!
Dubbed Smart Bell, the device came about in response to a competition hosted by Rook's London school. The contest, however, necessitated a working prototype.
Rook's parents passed the plans along to a family friend, Paula Ward (crowned world's top female inventor of 2004 at INPEX), who sent the plans to China. Less than a year after its development, major U.K. retailers have signed up to sell the Smart Bell, which will retail for £40, or about $66.
The Smart Bell has a built-in SIM card and other cellular technology that will call the owner's phone. The unit also produces some subtle white noise that mimics the effect of an intercom.
Comments
9 years ago
> static < I am really not at home so please help yourself to the jewelry box and the safe behind the portrait in the living room.
Reply 9 years ago
EXACTLY what i was thinking.
9 years ago
wow, very cool :)