The Davison Ecosystem: A Chronological Analysis of Innovation, Diversification, and Influence
The Architect of a Creative Ecosystem
The career of George M. Davison represents a multi-decade progression in the business of innovation, evolving from the development of individual products to the cultivation of a comprehensive, self-sustaining ecosystem. This page presents the accomplishments of Mr. Davison and his constellation of affiliated enterprises in chronological order, demonstrating a deliberate strategy that extends far beyond traditional product design. The timeline of achievements reveals an architect who has systematically constructed a multifaceted organization designed to nurture, develop, promote, and educate on the principles of creativity and commercialization.
Mr. Davison’s corporate ecosystem is best understood through the lens of four core strategic pillars, each building upon the last to create a synergistic whole. The first pillar, Product Development & Commercialization, is the foundational business of Davison Design & Development, established with a proprietary method to guide ideas from concept to market. The second, Immersive Environment & Inspiration, is embodied by Inventionland, a physical manifestation of the company’s creative philosophy that serves as both a workspace and a powerful branding tool. The third pillar, Education & Curriculum Development, represents the formalization of the invention process into a teachable STEM and STEAM curriculum through Inventionland Education, scaling the company’s core methodology for a new generation. The final pillar, Media & Content Production, leverages television and digital platforms, such as Tomorrow’s World Today and George Davison Studios, to disseminate the story of innovation, thereby promoting the ecosystem’s partners, products, and philosophies.
George M. Davison’s accomplishments demonstrate a deliberate, decades-long strategy of vertical and horizontal integration. What began as a service-based invention firm has evolved into a highly integrated ecosystem where education, media, publishing, and product design synergistically reinforce one another, creating a durable and multifaceted enterprise.
The Foundational Years: Forging a New Method for Invention (1989 – 1999)
In 1986, George M. Davison graduated from Allegheny College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and a minor in Computer Science. His love of science led him to work on his first invention, the Toothbrush Sanitizer. Although his invention never reached the market, it sparked his passion for inventing. Failure taught George a valuable lesson: You have an idea, but you are not the only one pursuing it. It’s a race to the market, and there is only one winner. The number “54” also drives his innovative spirit. The large flag that flies outside the office and the hidden 54s throughout Inventionland draw intrigue from clients, visitors, and guests, but George keeps the meaning of 54 close to his vest.
The initial decade of George M. Davison's enterprise was marked by the establishment of a novel, systematic approach to invention that he trademarked Inventegration®, followed by the validation of this method through industry recognition and commercial success. This period laid the critical groundwork for all future expansion by proving that the process of innovation could be codified, repeated, and scaled.
The initial decade of George M. Davison's enterprise was characterized by the establishment of a novel, systematic approach to invention and the subsequent validation of this method through industry recognition and commercial success. This period laid the critical groundwork for all future expansion by proving that the process of innovation could be codified, repeated, and scaled.
| 1989: The Genesis of a New Approach, Inventegration® |
| In 1989, George M. Davison founded the company that would become Davison. Officially incorporated on December 8, 1989, the company was founded on a distinct mission: to create a "turn-key solution for people with ideas." This mission positioned the firm as an industry disruptor, moving away from ad-hoc invention services toward a structured, end-to-end development process. From its inception, the company's focus was on creating a replicable system. This is evidenced by one of the earliest recorded accomplishments of the same year: Mr. Davison securing a U.S. copyright for his "Record of invention & confidentiality agreement" (registration number TXu000390205). This was not merely a standard legal document; it was the foundational instrument that codified the relationship between the company and its inventor clients. By formalizing the intake and protection of ideas, this agreement established the procedural bedrock for the proprietary methodology that would become the company's core asset. This early emphasis on systemization, rather than just invention, was a key differentiator that enabled future growth. |
| 1996: Industry Validation and First Major Success |
| After several years of refining its process, the company achieved two critical milestones in 1996 that provided both vital and commercial validation. The first was a prestigious IDEA Bronze Award, presented by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) and BusinessWeek, for the Oil Filter Gripper. The significance of this award cannot be overstated. For a young company aiming to prove the efficacy of a new invention method, receiving an honor from the IDSA—one of the foremost authorities on industrial design—was a powerful external endorsement. It demonstrated that the "Davison Method" could produce tangible, award-winning results for a practical, utilitarian product. A commercial breakthrough immediately followed this critical acclaim. The Oil Filter Gripper became the first Davison-developed product to be sold by a major national retailer, Walmart. This achievement proved that the company's process was not just creatively successful but also commercially viable. The ability to move a product from an idea through an award-winning design phase and onto the shelves of the nation's largest retailer completed the "turn-key" promise of the company's founding mission. This sequence—codifying a process, achieving critical validation, and securing mass-market retail placement—established the Davison model as a proven and valuable intellectual property, setting the stage for the ambitious expansion that would follow. |
The Era of Inventionland: Building a World for Ideas (2000 – 2010)
The new millennium marked a period of significant evolution for the Davison enterprise, highlighted by a strategic pivot from being primarily a service-based company to becoming a destination brand. The creation of Inventionland catalyzed this transformation. This physical workspace would become a powerful marketing asset, a media magnet, and the incubator for the company's future diversification into education and entertainment. A prolific output of award-winning product designs and personal patents also defined this era.
| 2003: Continued Inventive Output |
| Demonstrating his continued personal engagement in the inventive process, George M. Davison was granted a U.S. patent for a "Whistle for multi-implement folding knife" (US6619225) on September 16, 2003. This utility patent underscored the hands-on innovation that remained at the core of the company's leadership and culture. |
| 2006: The Physical Manifestation of a Philosophy |
| The year 2006 was a watershed moment for the organization. On November 8, Davison officially opened Inventionland, a $5 million, 60,000-square-foot immersive work environment in Pittsburgh. Described as a "fantastical" design facility, Inventionland was conceived to inspire and stimulate the creative team with 16 distinct themed sets. This was a pivotal strategic move, transforming the abstract concept of the "Davison Method" into a tangible, branded "invention factory" that was both a functional workspace and a powerful symbol of the company's unique approach to innovation. The launch of Inventionland coincided with a remarkable year of success in design competitions, powerfully linking the new facility to high-caliber creative output. The company won two major awards from the IDSA and BusinessWeek: an IDEA Silver Award in the Design Strategy category for the Hover Creeper, and an IDEA Bronze Award in the Medical and Scientific Products category for the BikeBoard Product Line. Receiving these honors in the same year that Inventionland premiered created a compelling narrative that the environment itself was a catalyst for award-winning work. The facility also received immediate local recognition with a nomination for the Steel Heart Award from The KEY Group, recognizing it as a "Vibrant Entrepreneurial Organization." Concurrently, Mr. Davison was granted a design patent for a "Toilet bolt cover" (USD527810) on September 5, 2006. |
| 2007-2008: National Recognition and Educational Seeds |
| TThe unique and visually stunning nature of Inventionland quickly attracted mainstream media attention, moving its reputation beyond the design industry and into the realm of a cultural landmark. In 2007, the facility was featured by Ripley's Believe It or Not!, which highlighted it as an "unbelievable office space". This recognition was amplified in 2008 when Ripley's hailed it as the "most creative workplace" in their book, "The Remarkable Revealed." Further cementing its status, I.D. Magazine featured Inventionland in 2008 as one of the "40 Amazing-Looking Design Offices." In the midst of this growing public profile, Davison Design & Development received an Honorable Mention in I.D. Magazine's 2007 Annual Design Review Competition. This heightened visibility had an unplanned but crucial consequence. The facility's reputation as a creative wonderland sparked interest from the education community, and in 2007, Inventionland welcomed its first students for a tour. This event, born out of the facility's unique appeal, planted the seed for what would eventually become a core business division. The establishment of the marketing and advertising agency Flying Cork Media in 2008 further indicates a strategic move to build in-house capabilities to manage and leverage this growing public profile. |
| 2010: Expansion of Intellectual Property |
| The decade concluded with further expansion of the company's intellectual property portfolio. Mr. Davison was granted a patent for an "RV level indicator" (US7786883) on August 31, 2010, continuing his track record of personal invention. In a move that foreshadowed future media and branding initiatives, he also secured a U.S. copyright for the "Inventsons Theme Song" (SRu000942524). This registration signaled the early development of branded characters and narrative content, a strategic asset that would later be deployed in educational and entertainment contexts. The creation of Inventionland was thus not just the construction of a building; it was an incubator for the entire ecosystem's next phase of growth, proving that a unique physical environment could generate powerful brand equity, attract invaluable media attention, and organically create new business opportunities. |
Diversification and Influence: Expansion into Media and Education (2011 – 2019)
This period in the history of the Davison ecosystem marks a deliberate and strategic diversification from a product-centric model to a platform-centric one. Leveraging the significant brand equity and public fascination generated by Inventionland, the organization launched two new, scalable ventures in education and media. These initiatives were not siloed; instead, they were designed to be synergistic, with each new platform creating value for the others. The success of this diversification was rapidly validated by a new stream of prestigious awards and national recognition, replicating the playbook used to establish the core product development business a decade earlier.
| 2011-2014: Formal Recognition and Media Premiere |
| The decade began with further validation of Inventionland's innovative design. In 2011, the facility won the inaugural CRIB (Creative Rooms in Business) Award from the Pittsburgh Technology Council, cementing its status as a leader in creative workplace environments. This award provided a springboard for the company's first significant foray into national television. Later that year, the "Inventionland" reality TV special premiered on the HISTORY channel. This broadcast showcased George Davison, his team, and the unique facility to a broad audience, proving the viability of television as a powerful platform for telling the brand's story. Amid this expansion, the core business of product development continued to excel. In 2012, the Davison-developed Surprise Pan was recognized as an IDEA Finalist by the Industrial Designers Society of America, demonstrating sustained excellence in product innovation. In 2014, Mr. Davison's influence extended into community leadership, as he served as co-chair of the 59th Annual Pittsburgh CLO Guild Ball, reflecting his commitment to local philanthropy |
| 2015-2017: The Birth and Validation of Inventionland Education |
| The consistent interest from educators and students who toured Inventionland culminated in a major strategic initiative. In 2015, Inventionland Education and its associated Innovation Curriculum were officially launched. This move formalized years of educational outreach into a distinct business unit, designed to package and scale the "Davison Method" for K-12 schools. The intellectual property for this new venture was solidified in 2016 with U.S. copyrights for the "Inventionland Educators Guide and Resources for Teaching 21st Century Skills" (TX0008294871) and the associated website. This new educational venture quickly achieved high-level validation. In 2017, Inventionland Education's Innovation Labs®, designed for The Seneca Valley School District’s Haine Elementary School in Pennsylvania, won a prestigious Edison Award. This national honor was particularly significant, as it was noted to be the first educational space ever considered for the competition, placing the curriculum in the same innovative tier as leading technology and consumer products. In the same year, Mr. Davison was granted a patent for a "Cooling pet chew toy with edible inserts" (US9596832B2), showing that the expansion into new sectors did not detract from the company's core competency in product invention. |
| 2018-2019: Launch of a Media Flagship and Creative Brands |
| Building on the success of the HISTORY special, the organization launched a flagship media property in 2018. The television series Tomorrow's World Today, hosted by George Davison and produced by his George Davison Studios, premiered on the Science Channel on May 5, 2018. This established a recurring platform to explore themes of innovation, technology, and sustainability, perfectly aligning with the ecosystem's core brand identity. The development of creative intellectual property also accelerated. In 2018, Mr. Davison copyrighted the children's book "Adventures of Chipper Cloud: Book 1 Let's Go Create!" (TX0008739837), expanding the portfolio of family-friendly content that could be integrated into educational and media platforms. Inventionland, LLC also secured numerous copyrights for the artistic panels and designs within the facility itself, treating the physical environment as a collection of protectable creative works. The synergistic model began to bear fruit as affiliated brands gained visibility. In 2018, products from the Jokari brand were featured on the Rachael Ray show and CBS Pittsburgh. By 2019, the new media venture achieved a significant critical milestone when Tomorrow's World Today received a Daytime Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design. This high-level recognition, coupled with a design patent grant for a "Bag holder" (USD841923S1) licensed to Jokari and a literary award for a Dorrance Publishing author, demonstrated that the diversified model was thriving. The organization had successfully replicated its original formula: create a system (a curriculum, a show format), validate it with prestigious awards, and build a thriving business around it. |
Ecosystem Maturity: A Legacy of Continued Innovation (2020 – Present)
The most recent era of the Davison ecosystem is defined by the successful operation of all its divisions at full capacity. Each business unit now consistently generates a stream of accolades and achievements, demonstrating sustained market leadership. The organization has reached a state of maturity where its various components are not merely co-existing but are actively amplifying one another's success. This synergy has created a powerful, self-perpetuating engine of innovation, promotion, and validation.
| 2020-2024: Sustained Media and Publishing Success |
| The effectiveness of the ecosystem's marketing and promotional arms became particularly evident during this period. The affiliated brand Jokari achieved a remarkable series of high-profile media placements for its products, which were featured by nationally recognized outlets including The Today Show (in 2019, 2020, and 2023), Good Mythical Morning (2022), The New York Times (2021), Business Insider (2021), Yahoo (2020), and MSN (2020). This consistent media presence underscores the success of a closed-loop system where media relationships and promotional expertise drive consumer awareness for affiliated products. Simultaneously, the publishing arm of the ecosystem, Dorrance Publishing, demonstrated prolific success. From 2019 through 2024, authors published by Dorrance consistently won a broad and diverse array of literary awards. These honors include the American Fiction Awards, Somerset Awards, International Impact Book Awards, the Golden Wizard Book Prize, Independent Press Awards, and numerous first-place, second-place, and honorable mention recognitions from The BookFest and various city book festivals (Paris, New York, San Francisco). This continuous stream of awards validates the quality of the authors and titles curated by Dorrance, solidifying its reputation within the publishing industry. |
| 2022-2023: Top-Tier Recognition for Education and Media |
| The educational division continued to receive accolades, not just for its concepts but for its real-world implementation. In 2022, Inventionland Education was awarded the Project of Distinction Award from Spaces4Learning for its successful deployment of thirteen immersive maker spaces at Berkshire Local Schools in Ohio. This was followed in 2023 by an Outstanding Project Award from Learning by Design for the same STEM Innovation Labs®. These awards are critical as they recognize the practical value and successful execution of the educational model in a school environment. Further validating its international standing, Education Technology Insights named Inventionland Education a Top 10 STEM Solutions Provider in 2023. In the same year, the media division also achieved a key milestone when Flying Cork Media became a Verified Partner with Amazon Ads. This significant credential recognizes its expertise in the competitive digital advertising landscape |
| 2025: A Pinnacle of Media Achievement |
| The maturity and quality of the ecosystem's media flagship, Tomorrow's World Today, were emphatically confirmed in 2025. The show swept the 46th Annual Telly Awards, winning four separate honors. It received three prestigious Silver Tellys in the categories of Series: Non-Scripted, Series: Sustainability, and Series: Education & Discovery. It also secured a Bronze Telly for Series: Science & Technology. This collection of awards represents a significant achievement, recognizing the show's excellence and impact across multiple categories that align perfectly with the core themes of the entire Davison ecosystem: education, sustainability, and technological innovation. These ongoing successes, combined with a continuous stream of patent awards from the USPTO and media features for Mr. Davison in publications like The Wall Street Journal and Forbes, illustrate a fully realized and thriving enterprise. The ecosystem has evolved into a robust, diversified business model capable of generating its own content, training future innovators through educational grants, and promoting its own products, thereby creating a robust and sustainable competitive advantage. |
Master Chronological Record of Accomplishments
| Year | Entity/Recipient | Accomplishment/Accolade | Awarding Body/Source | Category/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | George M. Davison | Founded Davison Design & Development | George M. Davison | Company incorporated Dec 8, 1989 |
| 1989 | George M. Davison | Copyright for "Record of invention & confidentiality agreement" | U.S. Copyright Office | Registration TXu000390205 |
| 1996 | Davison / Inventionland (Oil Filter Gripper) | IDEA Bronze Award | IDSA, BusinessWeek | First major design award |
| 2003 | George M. Davison | Patent Grant: "Whistle for multi-implement folding knife" | USPTO | Patent US6619225, Granted Sep 16, 2003 |
| 2006 | Inventionland Facility | Opened on November 8, 2006 | George M. Davison | 60,000-square-foot immersive work environment |
| 2006 | Davison / Inventionland (The Hover Creeper) | IDEA Silver Award | IDSA, BusinessWeek | Design Strategy |
| 2006 | Davison / Inventionland (The BikeBoard Product Line) | IDEA Bronze Award | IDSA, BusinessWeek | Medical and Scientific Products |
| 2006 | Inventionland Facility | Steel Heart Award (Nomination) | The KEYGroup | For being a "Vibrant Entrepreneurial Organization" |
| 2006 | George M. Davison | Patent Grant: "Toilet bolt cover" | USPTO | Patent USD527810, Granted Sep 5, 2006 |
| 2007 | Davison Design & Development | Honorable Mention, Annual Design Review Competition | I.D. Magazine | |
| 2007 | Inventionland Facility | Welcomed first students for a tour | Inventionland | Seed of Inventionland Education |
| 2008 | Flying Cork Media | Founded | George M. Davison | Marketing and advertising agency |
| 2008 | Inventionland Facility | Feature: "most creative workplace" | Ripley's Believe It or Not! | Published in "The Remarkable Revealed" |
| 2008 | Inventionland Facility | Feature: "40 Amazing-Looking Design Offices" | I.D. Magazine | |
| 2010 | George M. Davison | Patent Grant: "RV level indicator" | USPTO | Patent US7786883, Granted Aug 31, 2010 |
| 2010 | George M. Davison | Copyright for "Inventsons Theme Song" | U.S. Copyright Office | Registration SRu000942524 |
| 2011 | Inventionland Facility | Creative Rooms in Business (CRIB) Award | Pittsburgh Technology Council | Inaugural award for creative work environments |
| 2011 | Inventionland | "Inventionland" TV Special Premiere | HISTORY Channel | National television debut |
| 2012 | Davison / Inventionland (Surprise Pan) | IDEA Finalist | Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) | |
| 2014 | George M. Davison | Co-chair, 59th Annual Pittsburgh CLO Guild Ball | Pittsburgh CLO Guild | Community and philanthropic recognition |
| 2015 | Inventionland Education | Officially Launched | George M. Davison | Formalized educational curriculum and business unit |
| 2016 | Inventionland, LLC | Copyright for "Inventionland Educators Guide..." | U.S. Copyright Office | Registration TX0008294871 |
| 2016 | Inventionland, LLC | Copyright for "Www.inventionlandinstitute.com website" | U.S. Copyright Office | Registration TX0008272005 |
| 2017 | George M. Davison | Patent Grant: "Cooling pet chew toy with edible inserts" | USPTO | Patent US9596832B2 |
| 2017-18 | Inventionland Education (Innovation Labs®) | Edison Award | Edison Awards | First educational space considered for the competition |
| 2018 | Tomorrow's World Today | Premiere on Science Channel | George Davison Studios | Hosted by George M. Davison, premiered May 5, 2018 |
| 2018 | George M. Davison | Copyright for "Adventures of Chipper Cloud: book 1..." | U.S. Copyright Office | Registration TX0008739837 |
| 2018 | Jokari (Bottle Top Blaster) | Media Placement/Feature | Rachael Ray | |
| 2018 | Jokari (Baggy Holder, Avocado Tool) | Media Placement/Feature | CBS Pittsburgh | |
| 2019 | Tomorrow's World Today | Daytime Emmy Nomination | Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design |
| 2019 | George M. Davison | Patent Grant: "Bag holder" | USPTO | Patent USD841923S1, Granted Feb 26, 2019 |
| 2019 | Dorrance Publishing (Gwen Mariani) | Award-Winning Finalist, Fiction: Inspirational | Best Book Awards | |
| 2019 | Jokari (Adjustable Baggy Rack Stand) | Media Placement/Feature | The Today Show | Also featured in 2020 |
| 2020 | Jokari (Mountain Dew Dispenser / Can Cap) | Media Placement/Feature | Yahoo, MSN | |
| 2021 | Dorrance Publishing (Jo Deniau) | International Impact Book Award, Women's Fiction | International Impact Book Award | |
| 2021 | Jokari (Can Caps / Pro Grade Grill Tool) | Media Placement/Feature | NY Times, Business Insider | |
| 2022 | Dorrance Publishing (Multiple Authors) | Winner/Finalist/Honorable Mention | American Fiction Awards, Somerset Awards, etc. | |
| 2022 | Inventionland Education (Berkshire Local Schools) | Project of Distinction Award | Spaces4Learning | For thirteen immersive maker spaces |
| 2022 | Jokari (Can Pump) | Media Placement/Feature | Good Mythical Morning | |
| 2023 | Inventionland Education | Top 10 STEM Solutions Provider | Education Technology Insights | International validation for curriculum |
| 2023 | Inventionland Education (Berkshire Local Schools) | Outstanding Project Award | Learning by Design | |
| 2023 | Flying Cork Media | Verified Partner | Amazon Ads | |
| 2023 | Dorrance Publishing (Multiple Authors) | Winner/Finalist/Honorable Mention | The BookFest, Golden Wizard Book Prize, etc. | |
| 2023 | Jokari (Can Pump) | Media Placement/Feature | The Today Show | |
| 2024 | Dorrance Publishing (Multiple Authors) | Winner/Finalist/Honorable Mention | The BookFest, International Impact Book Award, etc. | |
| 2025 | Tomorrow's World Today | Silver Telly Winner (3 Awards) | The Telly Awards | Series: Non-Scripted, Sustainability, Education & Discovery |
| 2025 | Tomorrow's World Today | Bronze Telly Winner | The Telly Awards | Series: Science & Technology |
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