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WATERBURY, Conn., Oct 14, 2000 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- If Anthony DiMaggio has his way, a time-tested Christmas tradition will soon take a new twist.
The 28-year-old New York artist is the proud inventor of the "X-Mas Tree
Aquarium" - a three-tiered creation that, when decorated, does double-duty as a Christmas tree.
"I like the idea of utility, inventing things with a purpose," DiMaggio said Friday as he presented the piece at the sixth annual Yankee Invention Exposition.
DiMaggio was one of more than 100 inventors who flocked to Waterbury to promote
their products to manufacturers, investors, venture capitalists and marketers. Each inventor paid $225 for a booth at the city's Armory and the chance to woo the people who can help get their dreams off the ground.
The exposition, which began with 20 exhibits, has become the largest invention convention in the Northeast, said William Crutcher, a Waterbury patent attorney and the exposition president.
People come from across the country, Canada and even Europe to attend, Crutcher
said.
"It's amazing to me what the creative urge will do to people, the trouble they will go to," he said.
Jo Widness came to Connecticut from Ashland, Ore., with her "Chilly Dog," which she described as the "ultimate snuggle bed" for pets. Widness, a former teacher, invented the polar fleece bed 23 years ago as a way to keep her dachshund warm at night.
After she retired two years ago, Widness said, she began selling the "Chilly
Dog" over the Internet and in her local pet store. She has a patent pending and said she's sold between 400 and 500 beds.
Not everyone should expect to see such success, Crutcher said. Of the roomful of inventors only about half a dozen will make it big, he estimated.
Scott MacKenzie and Jim Macri hope they're among the lucky few. The pair from Framingham, Mass., served up Mexican cuisine in their "Taco Daddy," a suction cup-enhanced taco holder.
MacKenzie said he came up with the idea after noticing that it was impossible to eat a taco without it toppling over and cracking.
"A lot of people don't eat tacos because of the fact they're messy, very messy," he said.
The plastic "Taco Daddy" - which attaches to a plate and can hold several tacos, burritos or hot dogs - would retail for about $2.50, MacKenzie said.
"This is a product you will see," he said confidently.
By JUDITH FORMAN
Associated Press Writer
Copyright 2000 Associated Press, All rights reserved
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