ChE student wins a Schoofs prize for hollow shoe heel design

Chemical engineering senior Dorene Kent won a fourth place award in the fifth annual BRAINSTORM: The Schoof's Prize for Creativity competition for her invention of a hollow shoe heel for storing personal items such as keys and lipstick.

Richard Schoofs, sponsor of the BRAINSTORM: The Schoof's Prize for Creativity, poses with fourth place winner Dorene Kent. (32K JPG)

Dorene enjoys thinking of new things to invent, so the The Schoofs Prize for Creativity competition was a perfect opportunity for her to learn how to develop one of her ideas. Contestants attended free seminars during the fall semester to learn how to create viable entries, use the patent system to protect their ideas, and develop a business plan.

The biggest challenge Dorene faced was finding a marketable idea that had not been patented. Her first "inventions", which she later learned had already been created and patented, were a heated steering wheel warmer and a plug-in air freshener for a car cigarette lighter. Next, she made a microphone-like device for a car that could be used by a stranded motorist to call for help, as an alternative to expensive cell phones. But she learned that cheap, emergency-use cell phones were already available.

Dorene thought of the hollow shoe heel idea as a money-saving, convenient alternative to spending $20 on purses to match dresses for formals. She reasoned that, since large-heeled shoes are in style, why not use the extra space to stash small items such as keys, cash, or lipstick. The challenge in designing the shoe heel was how to open the heel and attach the door. She designed a hinged door on the front of the heel that allows access to items. Dorene learned that her idea could possibly be licensed to a shoe company. Meanwhile, she has a cool pair of shoes that she plans to use.

After she graduates, Dorene hopes to work at 3M (where she is a co-op student) or another company where creativity is valued and encouraged.

BRAINSTORM is conducted by the UW Technology Enterprise Cooperative, with support from the College of Engineering and School of Business. Funding is provided by department alumnus Richard J. Schoofs (B.S. 1953), chairman of Schoofs Incorporated. This year's first place $10,000 prize went to freshman Mete Kural for his Concentrating Spectrum-Splitting Solar Photovoltaic System. More information about BRAINSTORM is available at the College of Engineering website: studentservices.engr.wisc.edu/innovation.