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Tong Prototype Prize Home 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003
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What participants say:

Hoopla Rack

Hoopla Rack,
third place and $4,000,
2008 Schoofs Prize for Creativity;
third place and $700,
Tong Prototype Prize;
and Younkle Best Presentation Award

“Through the whole process, I actually began to see my design turn into a prototype, and now my prototype might actually become a patented reality. By the end, I was so happy that I had chosen to take a chance on myself and do something that brought my engineering and hooping life together.”

—Danielle McIntosh

Pen Smart

Pen Smart,
$1,000 Judges’ Award for Special Merit,
2008 Schoofs Prize for Creativity

“I thought of this product two years ago—I wrote it down and kind of forgot about it for awhile. And I realized that if I didn’t do it, I’d always regret it, so I just decided to pursue it. The competition is a great outlet for anyone interested in innovation and development. The experience gives you the tools to develop the idea and the confidence to continue.”

—Daniel Gartenberg

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Tong Prototype Prize 2005

2005 Tong Prototype Prize first place winner and Schoofs Prize for Creativity third place winner

2005 Tong Prototype Prize first place and Schoofs Prize for Creativity third place winner view larger image

First Place

RoboMouse: A fishing lure that replicates t he appearance and movements of a live animal in the water.

Second Place

PortagePro: A device designed to allow travelers on a portage to transfer the load of the canoe to most backpacks.

Third Place

Aqua Skimmers: A human-powered recreational device used to walk on water.

Other entries

Baseboard Booster: A collapsing stool that fits in the space behind the baseboard of a cabinet.

The Convenient Cooker: A rotating cooking appliance designed as an alternative to slow cookers, frying pans and woks.

The Duo Winds: A multi-featured designer desk fan with built-in lamp and stationery holder.

The Easy Measure Syringe: A syringe loading, dosing and injection apparatus that enables a person with a loss of vision and/or fine motor control to accurately set dosage on a disposable syringe.

The EroDynamic: A device designed to expedite the installation of erosion-control blankets.

Faucet Filter: An affordable and sustainable valve for water conservation efforts around the world.

The FireSite: A transmitter/receiver system designed to guide firefighters out of smoke-filled buildings.

Freebind: A binding system for snowboarders allowing for more freedom in positioning.

Hot Blade: A combination paint scraper and heat gun designed to more effectively remove paint from wood.

Interlocking Bowl and Tray: An interlocking bowl and tray system for use with a baby's high chair. The system locks the bowl in the tray preventing the child from throwing the bowl to the floor.

2005 Schoofs Prize for Creativity - First place winner

2005 Schoofs Prize for Creativity first place winner and Tong Prototype Prize entry. view larger image

Lift Buddy: A device designed to eliminate physical strain and potential injury in lifting objects of up to 100 pounds.

Mechanic's Creeper Head and Neck Support: A mechanic's creeper designed to reduce injury through an adjustable head and neck support.

The Silent Cellular Alert: A device that alerts cell phone users of incoming calls by direct skin contact.

Stapuncher: A device that uses the action of a hole puncher to achieve the function of a stapler.

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