1) I designed a new weed trimmer which cut down the need to swap out the string again and again. My yard was a mess. I'd find little parts in various places in our yard months after a gave up.
2) I designed an expandable beach umbrella. For those of you who've used one, it's tough to stay out of the sun because the earth is constantly moving which means we have to constantly move the umbrella. My umbrella had better coverage and it was very wind resistant. It's hard to hold the umbrella in one hand and a beer in the other while trying to stop the umbrella from falling over. My wife, Maggie, has tried. 😊 Now this idea got closer than the others with a manufacturer, but when it was all said and done, it was done. Too heavy and too expensive.
I actually have several more that never panned out. I now understand why Edison kept a great attitude after failing so many times. For me, the fun is in coming up with a concept and then trying to see if I could come up with a way to make it work. I didn't, but the joy I got in the process was actually all I really needed. I'll stop coming up with ideas when I die. Until then, let the failures begin!
Below is my first attempt, this was years ago, but it never got DOT approval. Bunch of ridiculous bureaucrats. 😁