“Yankee Ingenuity” Sometimes Hard to Export

Americans are creative. Hollywood and the entertainment industry aside, more patents are filed in the US than anywhere else.

Strangely enough, a number of these inventions never make it (far) outside of the country.

Twist-off bottlecaps

This is one of my favorite things to show visitors to the US – grab a bottle of beer and twist off the cap. People are astounded. I have had people literally fall off their chairs. Now, this is not rocket-science and has been on the market, what, at least 25 years? Why has this “technology” not spread? Is it too hard to export as a product?

Built-in closets

New housing in “old Europe” still does not include built-in closets. If you want someplace to hang up your clothes, you buy a wardrobe at Ikea. Smart European architects design good apartments with space for wardrobes; bad layouts (and older housing) force you to place the huge piece of furniture where it is always in the way. Why are architects and builders protecting the furniture industry in this way?

Receiver Hitch

Unless you drive a light truck, you probably have not noticed the quiet revolution in American towing technology which took place about 10 years ago. No longer do you need a tow ball permanently attached to the back of your pick-up, sticking out there like a weapon for any car which gets too close. The neat and compact receiver hitch lets you attach a removable ball when you need it, but remains flush with the back of the car when you don’t.

What inventions are on your list of needing export help out of the US?

Image from uspto.gov