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consumer immortality. All inventors believe their problem-solving products will make the world a better place.

That said, not all new products are destined to make the world a better place. Some inventions are just plain … bizarre. Others are clever in some strange way. And that’s what this book is all about. It’s a collection of some of the off-beat products out there. And when I say “out there,” I mean “out there.” I’ve rounded up some of America’s less conventional gadgets and talked to the inventors behind them. You’ll meet men and women who had an inspiration and are now turning that idea into something we can all buy. You’ll find out why some of your neighbors have put their passion, their energy and often a great deal of their own money into these unusual gadgets.

I could never tell, by just hearing about a product, if that product was going to be a financial success or not. It was only after talking with each of these inventors that I discovered which products are actually making it and which ones are not. Some products, which I might have categorized as lame, are making money. Other products, which I thought were very clever, have tanked. That was part of the fun of writing this book. The backstories are all surprises. Talking to garage inventors is a wonderful way to tap into modern-day Americana. They are the grassroots of this country’s ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit. Whether the product is a great idea or a dud, you’ll find that spirit is strong.

Some of these inventions, however, are examples of innovation gone terribly wrong—good people/bad gadgets. After reading about some of these painful experiences, you may find yourself breathing a sigh of relief, saying “Boy, am I glad I didn’t think of that!”

But it’s in these less-than-great gadgets, and the stories behind their creation, that you’ll find ample illustration of the indomitable passion that feeds the spirit of invention. At the same time, they provide a funhouse mirror of some uniquely American attributes: our obsession with convenience, the fascination with gimmickry, and the eternal dream of getting rich quickly. Have the Chia Pet, The Clapper, Ab Twister, or The Miracle Mop made the world a better place? They have certainly made their inventors a great deal of money and become part of our consumer pop culture. That’s the dream of the garage inventors profiled in this book: Leave their mark in the marketplace and make a fortune doing it.