From Prototype to Production

Have you ever wondered what your favorite product looked like before you purchased it? Many product prototypes started out looking completely different from their production form. Check out some of our favorites here.

Products from Prototype to Production

The Light Bulb

Thomas Edison

1880s

The Bicycle

Karl von Drais

1820s Wooden Prototype

Mr. Potato Head

George Lerner

Hot Wheels

Mattel

1968 Custom Camaro prototype

Hot Wheels

Mattel

1969 pink beach bomb Volkswagen prototype

The Lazy Susan

Elizabeth Howell

No one knows quite sure who invented the lazy susan. There is a long history. Elizabeth Howell filed a patent in 1891. Her design was the basis for the majority produced in the 1900s.

Slip 'N Slide

Robert Carrier

Patented in 1961. Robert watched his son, create a slick surface on the concrete to slide on. His first prototype was a piece of upholstery (50 feet long of Naugahyde) that he created a slick surface with water.

Spanx

Sara Blakely

Sara took a pair of panty hose and cut the toes out to make her prototype.

Dyson Vacuum Cleaner

James Dyson

Above is a paper prototype.

Roll It Fidget Key Tag

Veronica Rodriguez

Great Plate

Rick Kellow

Pound Puppies

Mike Bowling

Super Soaker

Lonnie Johnson

Furby

Richard Levy

Early 3D prototype

Adverteasing

Prototype in the lower right

iPhone

Apple

Prototype 1983

Rubik's Cube

Rubik Erno

Early prototypes

Barbie

Ruth Handler

One-of-a-kind, Pre-Patent prototypes, 1958

Tesla

Elon Musk

The first Tesla prototype (roadster) exhibited in Santa Monica

The Airplane

Wright Brothers

Monopoly

Elizabeth Magie / Charles Darrow

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Magie licensed the Lord’s Game to Parker Brothers. Charles Darrow added locations and licensed to Parker Brothers. This variation was called Monopoly and has sold millions.

Teenage Ninja Turtles

Kevin Eastman

First illustration, Kevin Eastman, 1984

Mother Goose

Worlds of Wonder

Little Boppers

Worlds of Wonder

Frisbee

Wham-O

1964 Wham-O. The Frisbee Pie Company aluminum tin 1871. Used and played by Yale students.

Wilson NFL

Wilson

1941 Wilson licensee. Minor improvements gripping and laces.

Lego

Kirk Christiansen

Model that contributed to the first Lego design.

Mickey Mouse

Walt Disney

1928 first drawings

Coffee Cup Sleeve

Jay Sorensen

Jay Sorensen filed in 1993. There have been multiple patents filed on this invention. But Jay Sorensen capitalized on it.

Apple Computer

Steve Jobs & Steve Wozniak

1995 Prototype Apple 1 Steve Wozniak

Push Button Phone

Bell Labs

Skateboard

Roller Derby

One of the first commercial skateboard roller derby 1957-59

Teddy Bear

Morris and Rose Mitchtom

1902 the inspiration for the first teddy bear was a political cartoon. Teddy Roosevelt's act of sportsmanship. One of the original teddy bears from Morris and Rose Mitchtom.

Gun

The Chinese fire Lance is considered to be the first gun. 850 E.C.

Trampoline

George Nissan

His first prototype in 1934 was made out of rubber springs on a canvas bed.

G.I. Joe

Hassenfeld Brothers (Hasbro)

First production 1964

Care Bears

American Greetings

1981 by artist Elena Kuckarik

Tape Measure

James Chesterman

1829 James Chesterman

First Motorized Car

Carl Benz

This is somewhat debatable. In 1886 Carl Benz patented motor propelled car is considered the first.

Sports Bra

Linda Lindahl, Hinda Miller and Polly Smith

Prototype. Two jockstraps sewn together. 1977

Push and Hang

Michael Van Horst

Right Height

April Mitchell

Turbo Trusser

Brian Halasinski and Kirk Hyust

Kong Tinker Rewards

Aaron Orozco

OXO Swivel Peeler

OXO

Peeler prototypes for the OXO line of utensils, created by Smart Design.

Electric Guitar

George Beauchamp

Created in 1931 by George Beauchamp

Guitar Pick

Andrea

Plectrums have been used to play for more than 2000 years. Shown here in a Greece drinking vessel, 480 BCE. The plectrum revolution began in the 1920's with the celluloid by Andrea, which is still being manufactured today.

Tag Defense

James Sanchez

Fidget Spinner

Catherine Hettinger

Catherine Hettinger is often credited as the inventor of fidget spinner in 1993. Her first prototype was turned down by Hasbro. Her patent expired in 2013.