Spring Break
Pirate Entrepreneurs present ideas from the inside out
Max Lemanowicz
Issue date: 2/12/09 Section: News
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The program was divided into two sections, Hooper's proposal and a question-and-answer seminar. Hooper discussed several projects he and his students have worked on at NCSU.
"We have to work from the inside-out, as well as from the outside-in," said Hooper.
"Inside-out" refers to the idea that the model has to be constructed from the idea (beginning, inside) to the finished product (end, outside). "Outside-in" means that the inventor must look at the product and find the perfect way to make it suitable for users on the outside, making sure it looks great from the outside as well as the inside.
The key to industrial design is to pitch as many different ways to approach a product as possible and then find the right solution and the easiest way to use the product.
Hooper talked about a program that allows inventors to keep their copyrights when consulting universities. The program is being developed by Hooper and Dr. Ted Morris, associate vice chancellor for economic development at ECU.
"When an inventor wants to work with a university, the university retains all the rights to the product," Hooper said. "We are trying to change that."
Several products were mentioned in the meeting, including rehabilitation devices for ankles, weight equipment designed to fit specific surface areas and a weight machine designed to reduce knee injuries for athletes.
Hooper stated that they have designed a one-of-a-kind weight system, with several accessories included that can fit in a small office. With the system, participants can engage in exercises to enhance their batting swing, strengthen their pitching arms and do a unique exercise to help strengthen the rotator cuff.
The other workout machine was designed to decrease knee "blow-outs" for athletes, which is common for football players and track athletes. The machine works on the gluteus minimus muscle and a few other muscles, reducing stress put on the knees.
"The body won't have to compensate as much if these muscle groups are worked," Hooper said.
Morris went to school with Mr. Hooper and commented on his reliability.
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