Sometimes new bright ideas edge their way into our consciousness without making a big splash right away, yet become so popular and widespread that their very brand name becomes a generic.
Consider Kleenex* or Jell-o,* for example, as examples of the phenomenon. Both are registered brand names that - despite the efforts of armies of property lawyers - are still used by millions of people to refer to the product, regardless of brand. Kleenex, for example, likes to force its competitors to talk about "tissue" but I seldom hear any real person doing so.
* (I would insert one of those little "R" things in a circle if I could figure out how to do it on this blog interface!)
But two less familiar companies are standouts in their field, too, and both represent success stories for a single person or small company with a good idea.
First is Vise-Grip, which has become synonymous with what might more generally be called "locking pliers." (The photo happens to be of locking pliers, but not Vise-Grips.)
I see no need to repeat what others have already done, so please read for yourself the interesting history of the Vise-Grip brand. (In fact I think this site more generally, http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/index.html, might be interesting to explore.) The pliers, though, have been developed, improved, and now come in a variety of sizes, configurations, and (yes), even brands. I doubt there's a household in the country that doesn't have a pair. If yours doesn't, go get some!
Another unique product is the Ross Root Feeder. This is a tool that's usually stowed away somewhere at this time of year, since it's intended for watering and fertilizing trees and shrubs. You insert the long stem into the ground (up to two feet deep) so water gets more directly to the roots, encouraging deep growth and minimizing wasted water. A few years ago, the manufacturers happily replaced a root feeder for me when the tube of my first one clogged. However, the company now appears to be a part of a larger firm called Easy Gardener. You "probably" don't need this product if you live in a apartment, but if you've got trees, there is no substitute. There may be other root feeders in the world, but I've never come across one. Ross makes fertilizer cartridges also, which can be put in the chamber on top of the tube, where they'll dissolve and reach the tree roots along with the water.
I'm not in the business of selling -- my comments are testimonials without a catch -- but if you do want to obtain either product, try the links at the right.
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