I'm sure it's happened to you; you're sitting on a 'plane, waiting to take off or whatever, and you idly pick up the SkyMall magazine in the seat-back and glance through it.  I did this recently, and I was struck by the amazing inventor's parade on display.  All of these weird and wonderful gadgets were invented by someone, and after they had the idea they built a prototype, iterated, tried to get someone to make it, iterated, and finally found someone to distribute it.  Whether the idea is great or horrible, each product in the SkyMall catalog represents a lot of work.  Impressive, really.

Consider these things, if you will:

• Pen which records video.
• Eyeglasses which display video on the inside of the lenses.
• LP record to CD recorder.
• Tiny universal cell phone charger.
• iPod to iPod media transfer device.
• A 7'x7' crossword puzzle.
• Keychain WiFi signal locator.
• Tabletop photo studio.
• Automatic water dispenser for cats & dogs.
• Pump-action gun that shoots mini marshmellows.
• Swiveling deck chair.
• Insect repellent hat.
• 'Birdwatchers' motion-activated camera.

And that's just the first twenty pages.  Who said innovation is dead?