Work and Money

The membership of East London Inventor’s Club has swelled from a few dozen to hundreds in only four years. "Everyone is an inventor," says the club's secretary, Brenda Ray. In fact, most of the club's members have multiple inventions under their belts.

Terry Jennings, the Chairman, has invented a portable flashing hazard light and an extended towel to allow people with back problems to clean between their toes.

The club meets every month at the Knowledge Dock at the University of East London. Each meeting has an invited speaker to talk about their latest product, and advice to help fellow inventors develop and build their ideas before going to a patent lawyer.

Chairman, Terry Jennings

Winning awards

Fewer than two in ten ideas for inventions get any further than the drawing board, but the club has enjoyed many successes.

Tony Brien is a veteran inventor and regular at the east London Inventor’s Club. He created a waterproof helmet for swimmers, divers and other people who play water sports. His invention, called La Bumpa, has won a number of awards and is now sold across the world.

Mike Keenan is another of the club’s regulars – he has created a fireproofing system that he has exhibited across the world. It consists of a polymer that can be applied to lots of different surfaces, including human skin, which means the surface can be set on fire without damage.

To see what one of the Inventor’s Clubs meetings is like, click on the video link above.

angela.saini@bbc.co.uk