Ideas Stored For Years, Don't Know How To Proceed, Protection?? Disclosure?? Protos Needed? Options

[wamuller]

Actually as you can imagine I have alot of questions.

Just a few for now...

1) How do you get through the invention process without your wife leaving you or at least suffering severe marital hardship? Of course she could learn the country song "I believe in you" but my wife doesn't sing Country. No seriously although we have a very strong marriage, I don't want to cause her undue fear, strife, worry etc. Anybody out there got some sage wisdom please?

2) Anybody out there been through the process of selling your idea, literally?
I'v heard about companies that buy ideas but don't know who they are and and to trust. Also what is usually required to sell it? A prototype? Working model? Artsy graphics alone? Production drawings? I'm just guessing.

3) How do you prototype at home and succesfully hide your activities from even family and friends who might in their excitement for you forget to keep a secret on the soccer field or in a tired late night conversation etc.

4) How do you avoid the scam I've heard about over and over that ...inventor presents design to manufacturer (or anybody) who tells him there is no market for the invention only to find it being sold two years later in stores everywhere??

Than's enough for now I guess, and I gotta go.

I hope 4 topics in one post isn't a problem.... I AM a newbie.

Looking forward to your replies.

Walt