A monumental (and bright) idea
By Tim Gallagher, Journal staff writer | Posted: Sunday, June 01, 2008
Jim Boettcher of Storm Lake, Iowa, will use a photo from his military boot camp graduation on a headstone invention he'll show at America's Largest Invention Show next week. (Photo submitted)
STORM LAKE, Iowa -- The blue glow in Jim Boettcher's backyard isn't a bug zapper. Or a yard light.
It's his headstone. And maybe his bread-n-butter.
Boettcher, 30, has patented the "Memorable Moment's Monument," a tombstone that lights up like a cell phone. He'll exhibit his creation at America's Largest Invention Trade Show next week in Pittsburgh, Pa. The show awards cash prizes of up to $7,000 to inventors in 22 categories.
"This is a no-joke expo," says Boettcher, a native of Coon Rapids, Iowa, who currently attends Buena Vista University. "The artificial heart was unveiled at this show years ago."
Boettcher has long been fascinated with electronics. As a 10-year-old, he infuriated his parents when they spent $60 on a radio-controlled car for him for Christmas. It was a big gift for a couple raising eight children.
"I took the car apart after playing with it for 10 minutes and I couldn't put it back together," he says. "Both Mom and Dad were upset!"
After graduating from high school, Boettcher enlisted in the U.S. Navy and spent his time in the military taking apart and fixing small weaponry and electronics. He also maintained air conditioning and heating units on his ship.
He was medically discharged after suffering a severe spinal injury in a fall and eventually found his way to Buena Vista.
He'd rolled around the concept of an illuminated tombstone for years, and applied for and received a patent, but did little with the concept. The project took shape when he had to write a business plan for an entrepreneurship class at Buena Vista. Part of the class project required him to visit with a Sioux City banker to simulate the loan process.
"My banker thought it was a joke at first," Boettcher says. "When I supplied the actual patent, he got pretty interested."
Boettcher says his bank is now willing to loan him up to $1.5 million to start mass production.
Just what is it? "The Memorable Moment's Monument" will help people remember their loved ones by showing a translucent photo etched into the stone. The photo can be any image of the person's choosing. It could be a car, tractor or pet.
The stone features a solar-charged LED lighting system that displays internally etched photos or designs inlayed into the stone.
I have a vision of a cemetery becoming like an evening rock concert when people stand and hold up their cell phones. Boettcher says cemeteries could look that way if his idea springs to life.
The prototype belongs to the creator, Boettcher. It features the etching of a photo taken of him when he graduated from boot camp. He was in the best shape of his life at the time, and that's how he'd like people to remember him.
"My dad, Darrell Boettcher, died in 1997 in a motorcycle accident and I had to identify his body on a gurney," he says. "That's part of how the etching became an issue. I think this will help people in that situation cope with their grieving."
He'll redo his father's headstone at some point, but only if his mother wants it done.
The lighting in a stone can be red, white or blue. It could be bright or soft. Someday, Boettcher says, cities or cemeteries may have to regulate the time and power of these markers. A timer can be incorporated into the design.
"Mine will give off a nice, soft glow," he says. "In all honesty, maybe it sounds morbid, but mine will sit in my backyard for years, probably drawing tourists who will want to see what the heck is glowing back there."
If he cranked up the illumination levels, his headstone would light up his living room.
Boettcher expects to have his "Memorable Moment's Monument" done by next week, in time for the Pittsburgh show. He'll display the invention for four days in hopes of finding a manufacturer, distributor and venture capitalist.
"I might see if someone at this expo makes me a deal I can't refuse," said Boettcher, a Buena Vista junior. "Or maybe I'll end up with first prize and have all kinds of investors."
It's his headstone. And maybe his bread-n-butter.
Boettcher, 30, has patented the "Memorable Moment's Monument," a tombstone that lights up like a cell phone. He'll exhibit his creation at America's Largest Invention Trade Show next week in Pittsburgh, Pa. The show awards cash prizes of up to $7,000 to inventors in 22 categories.
"This is a no-joke expo," says Boettcher, a native of Coon Rapids, Iowa, who currently attends Buena Vista University. "The artificial heart was unveiled at this show years ago."
Boettcher has long been fascinated with electronics. As a 10-year-old, he infuriated his parents when they spent $60 on a radio-controlled car for him for Christmas. It was a big gift for a couple raising eight children.
"I took the car apart after playing with it for 10 minutes and I couldn't put it back together," he says. "Both Mom and Dad were upset!"
After graduating from high school, Boettcher enlisted in the U.S. Navy and spent his time in the military taking apart and fixing small weaponry and electronics. He also maintained air conditioning and heating units on his ship.
He was medically discharged after suffering a severe spinal injury in a fall and eventually found his way to Buena Vista.
He'd rolled around the concept of an illuminated tombstone for years, and applied for and received a patent, but did little with the concept. The project took shape when he had to write a business plan for an entrepreneurship class at Buena Vista. Part of the class project required him to visit with a Sioux City banker to simulate the loan process.
"My banker thought it was a joke at first," Boettcher says. "When I supplied the actual patent, he got pretty interested."
Boettcher says his bank is now willing to loan him up to $1.5 million to start mass production.
Just what is it? "The Memorable Moment's Monument" will help people remember their loved ones by showing a translucent photo etched into the stone. The photo can be any image of the person's choosing. It could be a car, tractor or pet.
The stone features a solar-charged LED lighting system that displays internally etched photos or designs inlayed into the stone.
I have a vision of a cemetery becoming like an evening rock concert when people stand and hold up their cell phones. Boettcher says cemeteries could look that way if his idea springs to life.
The prototype belongs to the creator, Boettcher. It features the etching of a photo taken of him when he graduated from boot camp. He was in the best shape of his life at the time, and that's how he'd like people to remember him.
"My dad, Darrell Boettcher, died in 1997 in a motorcycle accident and I had to identify his body on a gurney," he says. "That's part of how the etching became an issue. I think this will help people in that situation cope with their grieving."
He'll redo his father's headstone at some point, but only if his mother wants it done.
The lighting in a stone can be red, white or blue. It could be bright or soft. Someday, Boettcher says, cities or cemeteries may have to regulate the time and power of these markers. A timer can be incorporated into the design.
"Mine will give off a nice, soft glow," he says. "In all honesty, maybe it sounds morbid, but mine will sit in my backyard for years, probably drawing tourists who will want to see what the heck is glowing back there."
If he cranked up the illumination levels, his headstone would light up his living room.
Boettcher expects to have his "Memorable Moment's Monument" done by next week, in time for the Pittsburgh show. He'll display the invention for four days in hopes of finding a manufacturer, distributor and venture capitalist.
"I might see if someone at this expo makes me a deal I can't refuse," said Boettcher, a Buena Vista junior. "Or maybe I'll end up with first prize and have all kinds of investors."
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
