American Inventor

American Inventor was a reality television series based on a competition to be named America's best inventor. It was conceived by UK entrepreneur Peter Jones, who appears on the British version of the somewhat similar programme Dragons' Den, a format originated in Japan where it is owned by Sony. It was produced by Jones alongside Simon Cowell and the producers of American Idol. It premiered on ABC on March 16, 2006. It was organized as a competition between the various Inventors resulting in one overall winner. Janusz Liberkowski, who invented a new type of child safety seat based on the human womb called the Anecia Safety Capsule, was declared the first season's winner in a live episode on May 18, 2006. The second season premiered on June 6, 2007. Firefighter Greg Chavez, who invented a fire suppression system for Christmas Trees called the Guardian Angel, was the winner of the second season, on August 1, 2007. On March 20, 2008, the show's official website was removed, and the series was not included on the 2008 fall schedule, therefore the series was cancelled.

Seasons

1. Episode 101

Air Date: 2006-03-16

In the premiere of American Inventor, we see the open casting calls in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York, where inventors of all ages presented their weird, wacky, or wonderful inventions.

2. Episode 102

Air Date: 2006-03-23

Contestants from the cities San Francisco and Chicago get a chance to show their invention ideas to the judges with hopes of making it to the next round.

3. Episode 103

Air Date: 2006-03-30

More contestants from San Francisco, New York, and Denver show their ideas to the judges. But, in this episode, one willing contestant offers to run his truck over a car to prove his invention is worthy.

4. Episode 104

Air Date: 2006-04-06

The nationwide search for America's next big invention continues with open casting calls in our nation's capital, Washington DC, and in San Francisco and Los Angeles.

5. Episode 105

Air Date: 2006-04-13

In this special two-hour elimination episode, the group of 50 are called all together, and have one minute to re-pitch their invention in front of the judges and their fellow inventors. The judges narrow down the field to the top 24. The top 24 make a personal plea to the judges about what the invention means to them, and the field is eliminated down to 12. The 12 finalists are each given $50,000 to make their invention better.

6. Best of Inventions - Part 1

Air Date: 2006-04-20

This special edition of American Inventor showcases audition highlights of inventors who did not make it into the final rounds of the show. In this episode, part 1 of 2, most of the inventions have already been aired in previous episodes; however there is a minority of new, previously unaired material.

7. Episode 106

Air Date: 2006-04-20

The search for America's Next Greatest Inventor continues in the first of four semi-final rounds. Ed Evangelista, one of the four judges, mentors three of the semi-finalists as they each use their $50,000 prize money to develop their products.

8. Episode 107

Air Date: 2006-04-27

In the second semi-finals episode (out of four), judge Mary Lou Quinlan mentors three of the semi-finalists as they each use their $50,000 prize money to better their products. In the end, she must select only one to move on to the final round.

9. Best of Inventions - Part 2

Air Date: 2006-04-27

This special edition of American Inventor showcases audition highlights of inventors who did not make it into the final rounds of the show. In this episode, part 2 of 2, Matt Gallant counts down through the 10 most outrageous inventors of the series so far.

10. Episode 108

Air Date: 2006-05-04

In the third of four semi-final rounds, three more of the semi-finalists use the $50,000 prize money to develop their inventions. In this episode Peter Jones mentors and judges the three contestants.

11. Episode 109

Air Date: 2006-05-04

In the fourth of four semi-final rounds, three more of the contestants use the $50,000 prize money to develop their inventions. In this episode Doug Hall mentors and judges the three semi-finalists.

12. Countdown to the Finale

Air Date: 2006-05-11

Airing right before the original airing of "The Finale", this recap episode summarizes the events of the four previous semi-final rounds ("Episode 106" through "Episode 109").

13. The Finale

Air Date: 2006-05-11

The four finalists attempt to create 30-second TV commercials for their inventions. The commercials will be aired and viewers will get the chance to see both the finished products and what the contestants had to go through creating them. At the end of the show, viewers are given the chance to vote on who they think deserves the $1 million prize and bragging rights as "The American Inventor".

14. The Finale Results Show

Air Date: 2006-05-18

One week after the finalists' final products and commericials have aired, the winner who receives the most votes nationwide will be announced and presented with a grand prize worth one million dollars.

1. Season Premiere Los Angeles and San Francisco

Air Date: 2007-06-06

Episode 201, the season premiere for American Inventor's 2nd season, will introduce us to a lot of new faces. Peter Jones will be a friendly face as the only returning judge from Season 1. Joining him behind the table will be Pat Croce, a successful American entrepreneur; Sara Blakely, a womenswear innovator and entrepreneur; and George Forman, of boxing and indoor grilling fame. News anchor Nick Smith, who is replacing Matt Gallant as the show's host in the 2nd season, hosts his first episode of Inventor. In Episode 201, the season begins with open casting calls in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

2. Los Angeles and San Francisco (Continued)

Air Date: 2007-06-13

The open casting calls continue in Los Angeles and San Francisco

3. New York and Chicago

Air Date: 2007-06-20

The open casting calls continue. Contestants in New York and Chicago vie for the $50,000.00 prize that each city-winner will take to develop their products in the final rounds. Inventions will include an all-ages toy and a heart-pumping device.

4. New York and Chicago (continued)

Air Date: 2007-06-27

The search for America's next big invention continues. Open casting calls continue in Chicago and New York. One inventor from each city will receive a check for $50,000 to develop his or her invention for the show's final rounds. Inventions pitched include yet another bathroom gadget, a roller skating device and "a device to enhance the way couples watch television together," to name a few.

5. Houston and Tampa

Air Date: 2007-07-11

Open casting calls in Houston and Tampa begin! New ideas will include a new board game and a hurricane-resistant home.

6. Houston and Tampa (continued)

Air Date: 2007-07-18

Contestants in Houston and Tampa continue pitching their inventions to the judges of American Inventor. Hopefuls will be vying for the $50,000 prize given to the winning inventor of each city. Among other inventions, a gizmo to entertain dogs with and a new lifesaving device will be showcased.

7. Semi-Finalists

Air Date: 2007-07-25

In this two-hour episode, the six winners from each of the six audition cities will develop their inventions. They will watch their products undergo focus-group testing, then meet with advisors to complete their prototypes within their $50,000.00 budgets. Only the top three inventions will continue on to the final rounds, where the American public will vote on their favorite invention.

8. Season Finale

Air Date: 2007-08-01

In the season finale, the audience votes are in and counted and one of the three finalists will win the $1,000,000 grand prize, crowning him or her as the next American Inventor.

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Rating

1.5/10

Release Date

2006-03-16

Episodes

22 (2 seasons)

Status

Ended

Cast