BKFK, Xerox Present Second Annual "Chester Awards" to America's Best Kid Inventors
NEW YORK, June 20, 2006 – From a field of more than 8,000 entries, three young inventors have been selected to receive “Chester Awards” as winners of the BKFK and Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) Invent-a-Toy World Games.
Named after the inventor of xerography, Chester Carlson, the “Chester Award” symbolizes the spirit of innovation that all children possess and honors outstanding achievement by kid inventors. The second annual awards were presented today at the International Licensing Show in New York City.
Xerox Corporation sponsors the Chester Awards. Mattel Inc. sponsored the competition in the toy category.
The 2006 Chester Award winners are:
- Russell Moore, a sixth-grader from Trumbull, Conn., who invented the “Water Tag” game. To play “Water Tag” each player wears a custom-designed vest containing four built-in water pouches. The water pouches have plugs with long ribbon cords of fabric. When you “tag” a player on the opposing team, you pull their vest cord, soaking them with water. The rules of the game vary but can be similar to touch football.
- Ana Lingenfelder, a seventh-grader from Hanover, Pa., for her “Hands On Hand Clap” game. Ana invented a thundering hand-rhythm game played solo. Players hang the game board on a wall or put it on their lap, turn it on and select a rhyme such as “Miss Mary Mack” or “Oh Little Playmate.” Then they select their difficulty level and the game begins. The “hands on the board” light up as players clap their hands against the board to the beat of the music. If they make a mistake, the buzzer sounds and they start a new game.
- Jacob Schwartz, a kindergartner from Colfax, Calif., for his “EZ Transitional Training Wheels.” Jacob created adjustable training wheels that make learning how to ride a bike fun and easy. To start, the training wheels are extended all the way out providing maximum support and stability for the young rider. As kids get more comfortable riding, the training wheels are moved closer to the bike, making it less stable and requiring more balance.
“We celebrate the triumph of kids’ creativity,” said Norman Goldstein, founder and CEO of BKFK Co. “Today with Xerox and Mattel, we recognize and reward the significant achievements of these three young inventors.”
“To implement the future that Xerox scientists envision, we must continually hire the best and the brightest. That is why it is so important for bright children and teenagers to dream and think of becoming scientists and engineers,” said Sophie Vandebroek, chief technology officer and president of the Xerox Innovation Group.
Also on hand for the ceremony were two of last year’s Chester Award winners, Justin Euliano and Taylor Hernandez. Hernandez was awarded a special licensing contract with the Foamables Company for her “Magic Sponge Blocks,” one of last year’s winning inventions.
Each of the Chester Award winners receive a licensing contract from BKFK, legal support to patent the invention (if patentable), professional expertise to bring the product to market, a Xerox Phaser® color printer valued at $1,000, and a $5,000 U.S. savings bond. The winners will also direct a $1,000 savings bond to the teacher of their choice. Ten finalists received a scholarship to Camp Invention, a weeklong summer enrichment program.
About BKFK Co.
BKFK Co., a closely held corporation based in Stamford, Conn.,
is the leading integrated marketing, branding and licensing company in
America dedicated to making kids’ ideas a reality. Their mission
is to inspire, motivate and stimulate the innovative spirit within all
kids. In addition to providing free support and educational resources
to America’s children, BKFK provides entrepreneurial experiences
for young inventors and supports the entire ideation through commercialization
process. BKFK represents some of the most brilliant young
minds in America. For more information, visit www.bkfk.com.
About Xerox
Xerox Corporation is a $15.7 billion technology and services enterprise
that helps businesses deploy smarter document management strategies and
find better ways to work, providing the document industry's broadest portfolio
of offerings. Xerox operates research and technology centers in the United
States, Canada and Europe that conduct work in color science, computing,
digital imaging, work practices, electromechanical systems, novel materials
and other disciplines connected to Xerox's expertise in printing and document
management. For more information, visit www.xerox.com/innovation.
Contacts:
BKFK
(203)321-1258,
media@bkfk.com
Xerox Corporation:
Bill McKee
(585) 423-4476 / bill.mckee@xerox.com
NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information about Xerox, visit www.xerox.com/news. XEROX® and Phaser® are trademarks of XEROX CORPORATION.