A world of difference - or making a difference in the world
Posted by Litzy Thomsen on
Since I was a child, I've always wanted to invent something. When I read Donald Duck magazines, I loved when there were stories with George Gearløs and his helper. I really liked all the crazy and funny inventions they could make and the quirky ways they solved different problems.
I thought it would be so cool to be able to invent things that people would actually use and enjoy. And then imagine being able to invent something that could actually change the world. It must be a fantastic feeling to be able to solve problems in larger contexts, such as environmental ones. I'm a huge fan of Elon Musk, who in my children's lifetime will be able to transport people to Mars, just as he is drilling tunnels under Los Angeles for cars to avoid the busy and heavy traffic. There are also hyperloops between other big cities. It's really crazy. It's not quite in that caliber that I find myself in ;-) But it doesn't have to be in that order of magnitude either. It could be being able to solve challenges for the individual person, which would mean that a problem that occupies a lot of the person's everyday life suddenly becomes something nice and good instead of being a source of stress and discomfort. And then you make a difference in the world - even if it's on a different level.
When I started to take this desire seriously later in life, I started with a problem that started as a luxury problem for myself. When I couldn't wash my hair without getting water and shampoo on my face (no matter what tricks I could come up with) and thus ruining my makeup, I thought that it must be possible to produce something that could protect the face in the shower - just as the opposite already existed; namely the shower cap.
It took me a year and a half to develop Capzy. There was a lot of water running through the river before, after several different prototypes, I finally found one that could be manufactured without very expensive molds, etc. Capzy, which is made of soft silicone with an adjustable buckle on the back, works as intended and solves the problem. It has been an exciting process, but also frustrating and very educational.
In particular, I have been surprised by how many uses Capzy has. I have talked to many people and been curious about their feedback on my idea. I have found that many people genuinely want to share their thoughts and opinions. It is fantastic. And new uses are still emerging in these contexts.
When I had to find out if such a product already existed, I found that it was available in slightly different versions for children. But no one had thought about adults and the elderly, who can also benefit greatly from a bath screen for various reasons. I also found that the screens available for children did not seem to be that easy to clean, some of them did not sit completely close to the skin and not all could be adjusted to the head size.
I thought that even though children were not my primary target group at first, many parents would want a screen that they could use during the first years of their child's life, when the problem of soap and water in the eyes - and for some also the ears - is greatest, and that the child would not outgrow it. It should also be easy to clean. The FDA-approved silicone that Capzy is made of can withstand a lot. It can be washed in a washing machine in a fabric bag, scrubbed with a sponge or put in the dishwasher. Easy and effective for busy parents of young children.
Capzy is being tested by a young couple who are so far very excited about Capzy, as they have tried washing their daughter's hair for the first time without her complaining about water and soap on her face. This has been a huge relief for them, as washing hair has now become something cozy and nice. Their little daughter now enjoys having her hair washed instead and finds it so much fun to play with the water that flows over the edge of the Capzy.
The joy that I experience through this young couple and their daughter is indescribably wonderful. Imagine that my little invention can have that function and meaning in other people's everyday lives, and make their lives easier and more fun.
That's exactly what makes me feel like I'm making a difference in the world - small or big doesn't really matter - it's there. And it feels fantastic.
You are very welcome to comment or write to me if you would like to give your feedback.