DEVELOPING YOUR IDEA:
     So you put your brain in gear and thought of an idea.  Now comes the roll-up-your-sleeves part.
This "work" can be a lot of fun.  It is time to transfer what is in your head to reality.
First you need to create what is called a "breadboard."  This is a rough model and can be made out
of any materials and not look so good, but it is important for one reason:  it  proves that your 
idea can be tuirned into a physical device that actually works. If your breadboard model doesn't 
work, or if it works poorly, don't be discouraged.  Some of the "fun" may come from making changes
or improvements on your product at this stage.   After that, you are ready to design a more accurate
model, perhaps adding improvements to your original.  By this stage, you will need to think about the
size and materials you will want.  Also by the model stage, you will want to have a good estimate as
to the retail price of the item, based on the costs of materials, plus production.  A general rule 
of thumb for lower priced items (under $20) is that your costs of parts plus labor should be 1/5 of
the retail cost.  Of course, if your product retails for over $100, the manufactured cost might be 
around 1/3 of that.  If you are selling your invention outright, you may only need to create a 
model (Caney 33).
     However, if you either want to make your presentation more impressive or you intend to produce the 
invention yourself, then the next step of development is to make a prototype (original design). 
A prototype looks and functions just like the manufactured version would, except that is is a 
one-of-a-kind handmade sample.  It should be exactly like the product will look and include even 
packaging and instructions.  Then it is time to create a polished presentation.   Working in reverse
from your model to the paper, describe your design again, adding details, measurements, materials, 
and colors, if applicable.  Draw a detailed design of your product, from different sides or angles.
Then, describe how it functions and take photographs as well.  
     By the time your presentation is ready, you need to have thought of a name for your invention.
It is your creation, so you have the fun of giving it a name.  Naming a product has a specific purpose,
however.  The name needs to help sell the product.  A name can do this in a couple of ways. 
(1) The name for your product may need to describe it so the public knows what it does. 
(2) The name may enhance the product by being funny or catchy so people are attracted to the product
and will remember the name easily (Caney 49).  In creating an appealing name, also consider the length,
rhythm, alliteration, and if you want it to contain information about a special feature or even your 
name.  For instance, "Coca-Cola" is short, easy to remember, descriptive (coca is a flavorful leaf and
cola means sweet carbonated drink), it has a strong four-beat rhythm, and there is alliteration where 
the "c's" repeat.      

"The most valuable of our natural resources is our own creativity. What we must learn to do is not stifle it, not kill it." --Dr. Jonas Salk

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