Kenneth Scheel Interview

Inside the Mindof an Inventor

An Interview with Kenneth Scheel

2012 Copyright. All rights reserved.

As part of our ongoing seriesshowcasing great examplesof creative uses of games,stories and ideas, The GameGal interviewed KennethScheel, inventor of theaward winning toy KEVAContraptions, the classicFling Sock game ofcatch and noted author.Let’s dive right in toKenneth’s mind.

Kenneth, is the following a true statement?Inventors invent in order to solve a problem.

Scheel: Absolutely. Anybody who thinks of a new wayto do something or devises a new gizmo or tool to getsomething done is inventing. Their inventions may not becommercially viable but they are still inventors. Creativeproblem solving is part of what it means to be human.

You invented the fascinating and award winning woodconstruction set called KEVA Contraptions. What was

the problem you were solving?

Scheel: Precision wood KEVA planks have been aroundfor many years and they are great fun for buildingstructures, bridges, sculptures and lots more – and I stilllove building with them. One problem with them is thatthey generally do not create any action. Once you buildsomething, the only action is knocking it down – whichactually is very fun. I guess the problem I was solving wasa search for more action.

What was the problem you solved with the FlingSock toy you invented?

Scheel: I worked as summer staff for a YMCA camp whileI was in college. The camp had always done activitieswith Frisbees but I found that many kids were not skilledenough with the Frisbee to play Ultimate or other games.When kids can't make the Frisbee go where they want,they get frustrated or embarrassed.

One day, after watching wild Frisbee throws ruin theenthusiasm for the game, I scavenged an empty breadwrapper from the camp kitchen, put a clump of dirt in thebread wrapper and dropped the dirt "bean bag" into oneof my long sweat socks (sweat socks used to be soooolooong). We swungthe sock underhandat our sides like apropeller and let itgo. Everyone couldthrow it easily andthe soft beanbagwas easy to catchand less intimidating.

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I refined the design, patented it and licensed it toSaturnian 1 Sport, a toy company, which stillmanufactures and distributes them today.

Great example of how an inventive mind seesopportunities for fun!

Now walk us through your thought process for KEVAContraptions. Did you immediately see the end result?Or did you have a series of visions that were stepping-stones to the final product?

Scheel: One day while using KEVA planks to designstructures on my ping-pong table, I picked up a ping-pongball and made a small ramp for it. This led to longer rampsand more and more elaborate contraptions through whichthe ping-pong ball traveled.

Over the next few months I would sometimes wake up inthe middle of the night with a new idea I wanted to try. Iwould wake up early and give it a try. Sometimes itworked. Almost always I needed to try several revisionsbefore I arrived at a design that both looked good andfunctioned properly.

My designs needed to be simple enough for kids to build.

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An early prototype of the KEVA Catapult Kit. See the final retail product at Mindware.com.

In fact, as a problem solver, Contraptions creates andsolves problems within itself so it is a great way to inspireinnovation as people build with it.

Problem: The ball won’t move.Solution: Place the ball on a sloped plank.Problem: The ball falls off the side of the plankSolution: Add sides to the plank. (Chute)

From a process standpoint, where did you start withyour invention? Did you develop a concept

statement?

Scheel: No. I always start by making prototypes to findout if my ideas that seem so promising in my head orscrawled on the back of an envelope actually work in reallife.

Almost every time, I make very important improvementswhen I see how the prototypes actually work. The numberof contraptions gradually grew until I thought I had enoughcool designs to launch a new toy. I tried a few different kindsof balls but I liked ping pong balls because they are very light,bouncy and can’t be swallowed. They make it different thanconventional marble runs.

After awhile I realized that I couldn’t remember all of myprevious designs so I had to get more systematic. At thispoint I thought I might have a new type of construction seton my hands so I started taking photos of everything I builtand sometimes created a permanent glued model.

Eventually I had a large collection of contraptions anddecided to launch KEVA Contraptions as a game that

provided an entirely newway to build with theplanks. KEVA Contraptionsis the only "marble run"type construction set thatmakes use of a bouncingball, which allows someunexpected action.

During the early development,I made many very cruderamps and chutes to get the

ball moving. I found many configurations that worked butsome of them looked clunky or sloppy. I would wonder ifI could make the ball run a zigzag pattern and thenexperiment with various ways to accomplish a zigzag.

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This is important for me to know: Did you go outfor ice cream?

Scheel: Actually, going out for ice cream is about thescale of celebration we enjoy with toy inventing. I don’tget overly excited until the product is on the shelves andpeople are buying it and enjoying it.

Did you call an Intellectual Property lawyer and discussyour idea?

Scheel: Yes. Once I settled on the name, I contacted myattorney to get started on the trademark protection.

Did you assemble a team right away?

Scheel: Not really. I would design new contraptions anddemonstrate them for my children and wife to get feedbackon the coolness factor.

Did you develop a budget and schedule?

Scheel: I did not need a budget for developing thecontraptions themselves. On this project I did most of thephotography myself as well as the initial graphic designfor the instruction book.

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Along the way, what was thefirst surprise obstacle youencountered?

Scheel: Deciding which designsto include in the instruction book.Every type of contraption hasmany possible variations and Iusually liked them all.

However, it would be overwhelmingif I had included too many options. I had to choose themost important and concise designs. That was achallenge to me.

Inventing anything is filled with ups and downs.Were you prepared for the downs? If so, what gotyou through the frustrations?

Scheel: I knew from the first few days that Contraptionswas a really fun product. I tried the concept with a fewkids and saw that they immediately got into it and stayedengaged for a long time. That was an “up.” The mostfrustrating aspect was figuring out how to include so manypossible designs into an instruction book.

In some of my workshops onteam building, I have used aquiz to begin the session.

It’s called the Inventor’s Quiz. Thelesson that follows after taking thequiz (which is creepy andimpossible) addresses feelinguncomfortable about taking risksand sticking your neck out.

What was your perspective aboutthe level of risk you were taking?

Scheel: I had shown a prototype of the KEVAContraptions concept at a major Toy Fair and a larger toycompany - Mindware - approached me to purchase alarge volume. At the time, I had to turn them downbecause I could not produce as many as they wanted,which is not a good position to be in. I was not preparedto crank up my volume for a single buyer. However, later,Mindware approached me again and we agreed todevelop KEVA Contraptions together. Then Mindwarewas taking most of the financial risk and I was taking arisk at working with another toy company for the first time.However, they needed me and my creativity and Iappreciated their financial resources and excellentjudgment in bringing new toys to market.

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Working together, Mindware and I have continued todevelop more successful KEVA products. I think we are agreat team.

One trait inventors have is that they/we arecollectors of lessons learned.

What advice can you give other budding inventors whoitch to invent a solution to a problem?

Scheel:• Make a prototype to find out if your idea reallyworks.

• Run your idea by many people you trust. • Let them try your prototype. • Actively seek their brutally honest opinions. • If you are convinced that you really have amarketable idea, don’t just talk about it, dosomething.

• Read books about bringing products to market.Patent it Yourself and the Toy and GameInventor’s Handbook are excellent resources.

• Decide how much money you are willing to losechasing your dream.

• If you have a spouse, make sure she/he is totallyon board.

• Most likely you will lose your money and youneed to be OK with that.

• If you decide you are willing to risk $5000 on theproject, commit the money and enjoy the ride.

• Don’t agonize over every penny. • Think ahead to be sure your money will fundyour plan.

Displaying my inventions at a Toy Fair with Mindware.

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I write a lot about using games for team building andproblem solving. I love KEVA planks as an activityto use with nearly every type of team. You train

educators to use KEVA planks for team building purposes.How did that come about? What have been the results?

Scheel: Several years ago I met with a localgroup of teachers who teach gifted children toshow them some basic activities they could dowith their students. I received rave reviews andwas invited to teach a similar session at a stateconference for technology educators.

Since my sessions are 100% hands on fun andengaging, teachers thoroughly enjoy the training and seeimmediate ways to use it in the classroom. Invitations toteach at national conferences followed and I have greatlyexpanded the range of activities I teach. I now teach Artteachers, Autism professionals, gifted teachers,technology teachers, History/cultural museum educators,Science centers and more.

Congratulations on your speaking recognition! Ifyou let me know when and where you will be

speaking or training again, I’d love to post the informationhere for all my visitors. Attending one of your trainingsessions would be a blast! It seems as if your sessions

provide games and levity to connect people (whosebrilliant tagline is that?).

I can’t end our interview without asking you What’s Next?Can you give us a glimpse into your next invention?

Scheel: I always have ideas brewing on the backburners. I’m working on a new twist to the KEVAplanks system that may be the most significantnew construction system in years. By havingseveral projects going at one time, I don’t get toobothered by delays or setbacks in any particularproject. As long as I am making progress, I’mhappy.

Now you have me too curious! I’d like to invite youback when your next invention makes you happy.

Thank you, Kenneth Sheel, for letting us take aquick dive into your inventive mind!

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More about Kenneth Scheel

Kenneth Scheel has developed a wide range ofeducational uses for his simple, high precisionplanks and he is a highly sought after speakerand trainer at conferences nationwide. As aresource for science centers and children'smuseums, Kenneth invents hands on, playfulactivities to engage and connect with children ofall ages and all skill levels. His lessons areequally engaging for adults. KEVA planks areused in science centers, children's museums andart museums, by technology teachers, specialneeds and autism teachers, teachers for giftedchildren, art therapists, prisoner outreach, architecture firms, universitiesand much more. Kenneth's innovative playful approach to teaching isespecially popular with STEM programs (Science, Technology, Engineeringand Math).

Recently, a museum exhibit company created an exhibit about inventingtoys - called Toytopia - and Kenneth Scheel is a featured inventor. Heenjoys talking about the process and encouraging others to take the leap.

Recently he was rated the #2 speaker at the international Young Child Expoand Conference in New York City.

Kenneth lives in Virginia and plays with his wifebecause his three daughters are grown and usuallyplaying with someone else. In his spare time, he is anauthor.

Can’t wait to buy KEVA Contraptions? Click on thefollowing link and get the fun right away:

www.KEVAplanks.com

Contact Kenneth at: [email protected]

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Thank you for reading aboutKenneth Scheel

in our interview series:

Inside the Mindof an Inventor

2012 Copyright. All rights reserved.

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