New hairdryer design wins design patent in record time

An unusual new hairdryer design has received a design patent, in a record 95 days. Tony Waithe, who studied hairdressing at the College of North West London, developed the OTT Hairdryer following complaints from his fellow students - and his six sisters - about getting sore arms when blow-drying. The new dryer has an ergonomic handle which keeps arms low, rather than above a client's head - helping to reduce repetitive strain injury and increase comfort when blow-drying. Tony isn't just the proud inventor of a new product though; he's also the first person to be granted a product patent in just 95 days thanks to a contact from his Royal Air Force Cadet days - Lord Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, the Marquess of Salisbury - who passed on Tony's thoughts about rejuvenating and speeding up the patenting processes to none other than Her Royal Highness, The Queen! Tony believes that his thoughts and ideas contributed to the Queen’s comments on patents and the economy which she made in Parliament in May, as he received a reply from Buckingham Palace saying that she had taken ‘careful note’ of his suggestions - and his very own patent in just 95 days. Peter Stonebanks, head of hairdressing at the college, remembers Tony well and commented: "Tony was always full of ideas and ways to do things better or quicker.  We’re thrilled that his invention has received a patent and very impressed that he has royal links that have helped speed up the process.  All of us at the College wish him success with his new hairdryer and we look forward to trying it out with our students." Picture: www.nigelsuttonphotography.com