Like most inventors, this man had his regular day job. George Ballas owned a large dance studio in Houston with over 100 instructors. His son Corky Ballas is a ballroom dancer and has won several Latin dance championship titles. George's grandson, Mark Ballas, is a name that you might know from "Dances With The Stars"!
George Ballas died in 2011 at the age of 85. I wonder what it would have been like for him to see his invention become so commonly used by millions. And all of that came from his observation of watching those brushes in an automatic car wash .Of course, the idea itself is wonderful, but you must follow through and invent something! Do that for me, would you? Thank you! And the world will thank you too! And hey, if you make money from it too, I would not begrudge you that either!
Kay- Here is an idea. A hand held miniature flea vacuum so you no longer have to use those expensive and poisonous drops on your cat or dog!
ReplyDeleteI like that idea. Now, develop it further and all the cats and dogs will love you.
DeleteThis was very informative. I had no idea (nor did I wonder to be honest) where the weed eater was invented. Thanks for the lesson.
ReplyDeleteI only just found this out myself. Inventors are fascinating to me, many times the inventions come from just a simple idea, but with a different way of looking at something.
DeleteI don't think I've ever seen anyone using a weed eater here; maybe they are just not as common. When my Dad works in the garden, he gets the weeds out with his hands - there aren't that many to begin with, I suppose :-)
ReplyDeleteBut it is interesting to learn about how someone got their inspiration from such an everyday thing as a car wash, and I am glad for him that he followed through with his idea and became a rich man in an honest way. How those people who turned him down must have felt later!
We must have all your weeds in Georgia! I really prefer to have a much more natural look, it's better for the birds! Still, I understand how people use weed-eaters, edgers, mowers, and blowers for their perfect lawns and how important this is to them.
DeleteAnd yes, imagine how those companies felt when the weed-eater took off!
Interestingly I'd never heard the name weed-eater so I was fascinated only to discover that it's what in the UK we call a strimmer and in New Zealand a weed-whacker. I I occasionally wonder how names get altered so much as products travel from place to place.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to me, since the man was American and called it that, I wonder why the name didn't travel to other English speaking countries? That's language for you!
DeleteI'm always amazed at how things come to be and the people that invented them. Some of the simplest things turn out to make millions. I'm not an inventor in any respect but am thankful for those that are.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed by inventors, just as I am by artists, songwriters, authors, and anyone else who creates something new! And like you, I am thankful for them and I count YOU as among one of those creators. x
DeleteA story I never knew, though I remember when weed wackers were very new. I'm sorry for those short-sighted tool makers who couldn't see the benefits of his idea, but happy for Mr. Ballas that he did it himself!
ReplyDeleteWhat if he had given up? He could have, but he BELIEVED and his belief and confidence paid off, so that is what I love about his invention!
DeleteGardeners and lawn enthusiasts the world over thank him.
ReplyDeleteI could have shown you my perfect lawn...if I had one! HA!!
DeleteOur lawn is for the birds, and I mean that literally.
I was wracking my brains trying to remember what they call those in the UK and Down Under - luckily GB answered the question for me!
ReplyDeleteHow fun it would be to invent something really useful that would also net a decent profit.... :)
Yes, that Graham can always be relied on to tell me what is what in New Zealand AND the UK!!
DeleteHey Sue! I KNOW!! You could invent some kind of new crochet hook or tool, you know you could....and I can say that I inspired you! Let me know!
My dad made the weed wacker in 1949 but never did patent it.It was made from an upright vacuum cleaner with a blade put on the motor
DeleteWow, that is really something! If he was that smart, you should write a book about him. He could become famous from your book rather than from an invention. Thanks for your comment on this!
DeleteThank you, Mr. Ballas! That's an important tool on our ranch!
ReplyDeleteOh! I bet it is on your ranch!
DeleteHope you like this story about him!
It seems like such an easy idea!
ReplyDeleteI know, John, so why don't YOU think of an easy idea? Come on, you know you could!
DeleteIt would be nice to invent something, and i'll keep looking for that big idea!
ReplyDeleteKeep looking and I just know that you are thankful for the invention of Ed Lowe's...I bet you know what he invented!!
DeleteI wish someone would invent a cure for stupidity. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, me too and I would take a big dose of it on a daily basis!!
DeleteThanks for sharing George's story. It certainly pays to be observant and to belief in yourself; especially when others don't want to initially.
ReplyDeleteHey, glad you liked this story too. Belief and faith, both more important than people think!
DeleteI wish I'd invented Cats Eyes in roads or those plastic ball throwers for dogs. The latter an idea borrowed from Aboriginal throwing sticks presumably.... but I'm too dim to think of anything original!
ReplyDeleteWah!!
You see, you can get an idea from something that has been around for a long time! I challenge you! Look around you and see if you can't apply a new idea to something that is tried and true. Let me know!
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