Inventionland

Main article: Davison Design & Development
Inventionland

Inventionland
Built 2006
Location Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Industry Invention services, new-product development
Products See Davison Design & Development
Employees 250
Address 585 Alpha Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15238

Inventionland is the corporate headquarters of Davison Design & Development, located at 585 Alpha Drive in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Inventionland is one of the company's two Pittsburgh locations and was conceived by Davison founder and CEO George McConnell Davison. Nathan Field served as the executive creative coach, and Joey Warren acted as senior concept designer.[1]

Contents

Facilities and History

Inventionland is a 61,000-square-foot (5,700 m2) design facility that houses 16 themed sets, including a pirate ship, tree house and giant robot.[2] According to George Davison, his intention in building Inventionland was to provide a creative work environment in which Davison’s employees—artists, graphic designers, industrial designers and others—design, develop and create prototypes of and packaging for new products and inventions.[3]

Inventionland officially opened in 2006, having taken 18 months from design to construction.[4]

Purpose of Inventionland

Inventionland is where Davison brainstorms new ideas and works with his team members on laying out the process of tackling new product ideas, including product and patent research, sketches and packaging considerations, modeling in 3D, building prototypes and pitching products to manufacturers. Davison does business in North America, Europe and Australia.[5]

“Creative use of space motivates and inspires creativity among employees. And I never want to get stale or to get bored looking at a computer screen,” George Davison said in an interview with the Daily Mail.[6]

Honors and Awards

The January/February 2008 issue of I.D. Magazine recognized Inventionland as one of "40 Amazing-Looking Design Offices."[7] Inventionland is also featured in the 2008 Ripley's Believe It or Not Annual, "The Remarkable Revealed.”

In 2011 Inventionland was the recipient of the annual CRIB Creative Rooms in Business Award,[8] a regional Pittsburgh award given annually and sponsored by Pittsburgh Design, Art and Technology (DATA).

Inventionland Tours

Davison is committed to fostering inventiveness, problem-solving and creativity in children and young adults.[9] To that end, the company hosts tours of Inventionland on a regular basis, primarily with local schoolchildren and summer camp attendees.[10]

Themed Sets

Within Inventionland lie 16 themed sets, named and designed to reflect the new-product invention activity within. For example, within the giant robot, also called Inventron 54, consumer electronics are the specialty. Within the Motor Speedway, automotive products are developed. At the Inventalot Castle, decorated with George Davison's family coat of arms, novelty and holiday gift items are the focus; it also serves as the daily meetingplace for employees. The Creation Cavern hosts designers of outdoor apparel, hunting, fishing and hiking goods, survival tools and the like. Within the Pet Shack, all manner of pets and their needs are conceived.[11]

Inventionland Interior Images
Creativity Cabin inside Inventionland.  
The exterior of the Crafty Cottage within Inventionland.  
A view into Inventalot Castle within Inventionland.  
The Concept Kitchen, also called "The Cupcake," at Inventionland.  
Creation Cavern at Inventionland.  
Davy's Tree House, named for George McConnell Davison, at Inventionland.  
Discovery Pirate Ship inside Inventionland.  
Motor Speedway inside Inventionland.  
Nursery Nook at Inventionland.  
Pet Shack at Inventionland.  
Robot at Inventionland.  

References

  1. ^ Pittsburgh Innovates Awards, 2008 from the company's Web site. Retrieved 2011-12-12.
  2. ^ Tugman, Lindsey (22 August 2011). Today's THV. http://www.todaysthv.com/news/article/169993/2/At-5-Inventionland-Where-your-ideas-come-to-life. Retrieved 29 August 2011. 
  3. ^ “Dave & Dave Explore Inventionland,” On Q, WQED-TV July 17, 2007
  4. ^ “Workplace Wonderment,” by Donna Domin, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review October 7, 2007
  5. ^ “Pop Star: George Davison” by Abby Mendelson, Pop City Media December 19, 2007
  6. ^ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2012240/Davison-offices-Pittsburgh-just-like-real-life-Willy-Wonka-factory.html#ixzz1ZGiehfeQ “Coolest place to work in the world: The office that is just like a giant playground,” Daily Mail, July 8, 2011
  7. ^ http://digital.id-mag.com/idmagazine/id20080102/?pg=14
  8. ^ http://www.pghtech.org/events/art-and-technology/call.aspx CRIB Creative Rooms in Business Award
  9. ^ http://www.thestatenislandfamily.com/inventor-george-m-davison-tells-parents-why-they-should-encourage-their-kids-to-invent The Staten Island Family, July 11, 2011
  10. ^ http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/leadertimes/news/s_737784.html#ixzz1Ml09Sh4W “IUP science and technology campers to visit Inventionland,” by Mitch Fryer, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, May 18, 2011
  11. ^ http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_531213.html Pittsburgh Tribune-Review "Workplace Wonderment"