Ever feel tied down? Just imagine the frustration of a child yearning to play, but hampered by a catheter connection to an IV pole. When inventor Spencer Rocco Whale witnessed that frustration, it sparked an idea that now brings smiles to America’s hospital wards. And, while not his driving goal, Spencer’s solution also is drawing cash to his growing bank account. His story is at the very heart of small business innovation.

Visiting a hospital, Spencer watched a kid trying to catch some fun in a kiddie car - - not easy, however, with his little arm tethered by a catheter to a looming IV pole. Worse for the kid, perhaps, was the sight of that panting parent lumbering alongside with the IV pole in tow - - hardly the supportive pit crew of NASCAR dreams. It certainly takes the spirit out of breaking away.

Spencer carried this disturbing vision home and into the garage. With family help, he cobbled together a kiddie car with an integrally mounted IV pole having the look of a sturdy, decorative antenna. Sure, the pole still carries tubes and that swaying IV drip bag, but now children can take a corridor cruise, parent-free.

“That’s innovation?” you ask. “Isn’t it more like ho-hum than a-ha?” Well, wait a minute.

As separate units, kiddie cars and IV poles have been around for many decades. But, if you think you’ve seen them functionally combined before, it’s probably a chronic case of hindsight. Is it patentable? We’ll see. “Who would think that kids might take to such a contraption?”

Thanks for asking. The answer is: another kid. Spencer was 6 years old when he came up with the concept, his motivation revealed in his thoughtful observation: “Kids hospitalized with serious health conditions still like to play.” Talk about identifying with the customer. Spencer has won at least three young inventor competitions and at the ripe old age of 8 was inducted into the National Gallery for America’s Young Inventors.

Wait, there’s more.

On Spencer’s behalf, the ByKidsForKids Company¹ negotiated a 10 year worldwide license with Rand International, and Little Tikes Company. Our inventor Spencer is shown here brimming with success, and undoubtedly more ideas.

Racing along in that topless, red roadster is Spencer’s satisfied customer.² She’s unleashed the surly bonds.

You go, girl.

1 www.bkfk.com
2 Photograph courtesy of the Winthrop University Hospital Cancer Center for Kids, Mineola, NY