Another brilliant piece from a GUNNAS WRITING MASTERCLASS WRITER.
Once upon a time there was an editor of a magazine called Life. He was looking for ideas for his next issue.sales of the magazine had declined recently so he knew the pressure was on from the investors to headline a really important article that would be attention grabbing and get readers back on board. His most recent issue on volcanoes and the people that study them had been a flop. He thought that maybe gadgets would be an interesting topic, but didn’t know where to start. He wanted his next issue to be ground breaking, about a gadget that no one had seen yet, but would change the world and everyone would want one.
Everyday in the lead up to the deadline for the next issue he was becoming more and more stressed as he searched for ideas. He would get up in the morning and take his dog out for a walk. They say a dog is a mans best friend, and he was hoping that the walk with his dog would bring him the inspiration he needed. He’d take his dogs to a local cafe where he’d invited researchers, professors and inventors to meet with him and catch up over coffee. Some of the ideas that they came up with were ridiculous. There was silly ideas such as tin foil hats to reflect the Suns UV Ray’s.
One day, he was having coffee at the cafe waiting for his next appointment, when a young man who worked at the cafe came and sat down. “Sorry, this seat will be taken by someone shortly” said the editor. “Yes, by me. I’m your next appointment” the young man said. The editor was curious, but also frustrated with all the silly ideas he’d had to sit and listen to.
“Oh really, and what’s your idea?” The editor asked. “TV glasses!” the young man said excitedly. “TV glasses?” The editor asked with a sarcastic laugh. Because of that, the young man said “if you’re not interested in my idea that’s fine, I won’t waste my time explaining it to you” and he got up to walk away “ok ok wait. I’m sorry, that was rude of me. Please, do explain” the editor asked,
The young man sat back down slowly, unsure of the editor was serious “please, go on” the editor encouraged. “Ok, so imagine a very small to, only slightly larger than your hand. The controls and speaker on one side, and on the back is 2 small TV screens, it has a elastic band that goes around your head and holds it up to your eyes like a pair of spectacles” the young man explained
“Ok, interesting concept. But why would someone want to wear this instead of just watching TV?” The editor asked “well, sometimes a couple may be sitting on the couch watching their television set, but they can’t agree on what programme to watch. And because of that there may be an argument and bad feelings between the couple.” the young man went on “yes, I’ve experience that before” the editor commented
“So, that’s where the television glasses will come in handy. Each person can have their own pair and watch their favourite television programme. And because it’s so small, it can run off batteries. Previously, if your power had gone out or you weren’t home when your favourite programme was on, then you would have to miss it, until finally along came the television glasses!” The young man finished excitedly.
The editor thought for a moment, and then he smiled. “You know what, I think that could really take off!” He was so excited to have finally found an idea worthy for the front cover of the next issue of Life magazine, “Have you made one yet?” The editor asked
“Oh, I wouldn’t know where to start” the young man said. “Then we better get started” the editor replied excitedly. Over the next few weeks they found an inventor to work with who helped them make it. They then employed a model to wear the glasses and the next Issue of a Life was published