Kansas City recently hosted an invent-a-thon – which features people who have to invent new products within a 48-hour deadline. This event was not taken lightly – as evidenced by the one competitor who rented a truck and transformed it into a mobile garage specifically for the event. Needless to say, he was prepared.

The competitors were not required to bring their own tools though, they were all provided with a vast amount of tools and equipment; such as a dozen 3-D printers and help from about 10 designated “tool techs.” Not only that, but the teams were also given the luxury of being able to take a bus to a hardware store with a $250 gift card for whatever additional tools they needed.

Hosted by the Inventors Center of Kansas City, this event is the first of its kind. The teams did not even know the theme of what they were going to have to invent until the start time of the “Invent-A-Thon.” It’s safe to say that no one could have predicted the theme of the competition – considering it was revealed as “kitchen” once participants arrived. While they were not given much help, the teams did receive a list of ideas pertaining to the theme, such as new kinds of peelers, lighting, portion control, staying ahead of bacteria and keeping silverware from falling off a plate.

According to one of the event’s 36 sponsors, Scott Warren, owner of a local electronics manufacturing firm named Hannesco, the goal of the event is “solving common. Everyday problems that people have in the kitchen.” As the competition neared the end of the 48 hours, some teams managed to look well-rested and even made videos to go along with their presentations for their inventions.