- World exclusive Putty Monster arrives to the UK, in the hands of its inventor -
July 16, 2010 | 10:51
Companies: #firebox
Leicester born Tom Spring turns his dream into reality
- World exclusive Putty Monster arrives to the UK, in the hands of its inventor -
July 2010: What do you get when you mix putty, plastic eyes and an incredibly talented inventor...Putty Monsters that’s what! After five months of planning, manufacturing and designing, Tom Spring - winner of Firebox Inventor 2010 – yesterday presented his very first invention to his class mates at Rothley Church of England Primary School. Hot off the Firebox production line, Tom gave his lucky class mates the chance to be the first people on earth to own their very own Putty Monster and the reaction was outstanding. And as of today Putty Monster is available to buy from Firebox.com.
Putty Monsters:
Tom Spring from Rothley, Leicester entered the Firebox Inventor competition in June 2009. His idea for Putty Monsters won over all nine expert judges and fended off over 1,200 entries, including a highly competitive shortlist. As part of his prize, he will receive 50% of the profits made from Putty Monsters.
Tom’s creation - Putty Monsters, is a collectible toy for small and big kids alike that combines putty with an online community; encouraging people to share and chat about their creations. Putty Monsters comes blind packaged so you never know what skin/eye colour combo you are going to get. There are five different skin/eye colours (three common, one rare and one ultra rare) and you even get a handy Spotter’s Guide to help you identify your monster’s ‘family’.
Unlike traditional modeling materials such as plasticine or clay, anything modeled in the putty will slowly melt at room temperature.
Users will be encouraged to create as many different “Monsters” as possible from the putty and eyes, they will take photographs of their creations and upload them to an online database before they melt away. Once they have uploaded their monster they will be encouraged to name it and describe its characteristics.
Online, users will also be able to see other people’s uploaded creations, comment, vote for their favourites and learn more about the Putty Monsters.
This simple concept of putty and a pair of eyes reinforces the theory behind product crazes - simple, fun, collectable and affordable.
The annual competition, ran by Firebox.com, in association with Stuff magazine, invites the general public to send in ideas for an original product that they would like to see sold by Firebox.com. The e-tailer is currently on the look-out for next year’s winner.
The winner: Tom Spring
Tom Spring, an avid Firebox customer, has dreamt of becoming a product inventor for as long as he can remember.
“I came up with the Putty Monster idea because I like to play with Putty” says Tom, “I’ve always been in to monsters and aliens and I’m a big fan of the Flaminals stories - so it made sense to bundle them all together.”
His inspiration comes from his Grandfather who was previously a Marketing Director at Palitoy and influenced the production of Action Man. Tom has always wanted to follow in his footsteps. Tom continues: “I really look up to my Grandad, he used to work in the toy business and we always talk about how I can get my designs made and in to shops. It’s been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember.”
Christian Robinson, MD of Firebox.com is excited about Putty Monsters potential for success. “We think Putty Monsters has great potential and have enjoyed working with Tom so far in the product and packaging design and development. Tom is an inspiration to budding inventors young and old – don’t give up on your ideas!”
Putty Monsters are new available from www.firebox.com for £9.99 each
See www.firebox.com/inventor for more details on entering the competition
- Ends -
About Firebox.com:
University friends Michael Smith and Tom Boardman set up Firebox.com in 1998 with the dream of retailing, marketing and manufacturing a select range of new and unusual products from around the world. The company survived the dotcom boom and bust and has developed into a successful multi-channel retail operation including an award-winning website and a mail-order catalogue. Originally building a reputation for having the latest gadgets, games and boys toys for men, Firebox now services a broader market, identifying the latest trends in consumer products to bring quirky and unusual designer homeware, innovative gadgets and amusing gift ideas to their customers ahead of mainstream retailers.
- World exclusive Putty Monster arrives to the UK, in the hands of its inventor -
July 2010: What do you get when you mix putty, plastic eyes and an incredibly talented inventor...Putty Monsters that’s what! After five months of planning, manufacturing and designing, Tom Spring - winner of Firebox Inventor 2010 – yesterday presented his very first invention to his class mates at Rothley Church of England Primary School. Hot off the Firebox production line, Tom gave his lucky class mates the chance to be the first people on earth to own their very own Putty Monster and the reaction was outstanding. And as of today Putty Monster is available to buy from Firebox.com.
Putty Monsters:
Tom Spring from Rothley, Leicester entered the Firebox Inventor competition in June 2009. His idea for Putty Monsters won over all nine expert judges and fended off over 1,200 entries, including a highly competitive shortlist. As part of his prize, he will receive 50% of the profits made from Putty Monsters.
Tom’s creation - Putty Monsters, is a collectible toy for small and big kids alike that combines putty with an online community; encouraging people to share and chat about their creations. Putty Monsters comes blind packaged so you never know what skin/eye colour combo you are going to get. There are five different skin/eye colours (three common, one rare and one ultra rare) and you even get a handy Spotter’s Guide to help you identify your monster’s ‘family’.
Unlike traditional modeling materials such as plasticine or clay, anything modeled in the putty will slowly melt at room temperature.
Users will be encouraged to create as many different “Monsters” as possible from the putty and eyes, they will take photographs of their creations and upload them to an online database before they melt away. Once they have uploaded their monster they will be encouraged to name it and describe its characteristics.
Online, users will also be able to see other people’s uploaded creations, comment, vote for their favourites and learn more about the Putty Monsters.
This simple concept of putty and a pair of eyes reinforces the theory behind product crazes - simple, fun, collectable and affordable.
The annual competition, ran by Firebox.com, in association with Stuff magazine, invites the general public to send in ideas for an original product that they would like to see sold by Firebox.com. The e-tailer is currently on the look-out for next year’s winner.
The winner: Tom Spring
Tom Spring, an avid Firebox customer, has dreamt of becoming a product inventor for as long as he can remember.
“I came up with the Putty Monster idea because I like to play with Putty” says Tom, “I’ve always been in to monsters and aliens and I’m a big fan of the Flaminals stories - so it made sense to bundle them all together.”
His inspiration comes from his Grandfather who was previously a Marketing Director at Palitoy and influenced the production of Action Man. Tom has always wanted to follow in his footsteps. Tom continues: “I really look up to my Grandad, he used to work in the toy business and we always talk about how I can get my designs made and in to shops. It’s been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember.”
Christian Robinson, MD of Firebox.com is excited about Putty Monsters potential for success. “We think Putty Monsters has great potential and have enjoyed working with Tom so far in the product and packaging design and development. Tom is an inspiration to budding inventors young and old – don’t give up on your ideas!”
Putty Monsters are new available from www.firebox.com for £9.99 each
See www.firebox.com/inventor for more details on entering the competition
- Ends -
About Firebox.com:
University friends Michael Smith and Tom Boardman set up Firebox.com in 1998 with the dream of retailing, marketing and manufacturing a select range of new and unusual products from around the world. The company survived the dotcom boom and bust and has developed into a successful multi-channel retail operation including an award-winning website and a mail-order catalogue. Originally building a reputation for having the latest gadgets, games and boys toys for men, Firebox now services a broader market, identifying the latest trends in consumer products to bring quirky and unusual designer homeware, innovative gadgets and amusing gift ideas to their customers ahead of mainstream retailers.
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