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Camarillo firefighter named top inventor
Man's 'angel' beats rivals on TV show
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Greg Chavez won $1 million for his Guardian Angel invention, which helps to suppress Christmas tree fires.
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More from TelevisionA dream came true for Greg Chavez, a firefighter and father of six from Camarillo, who won $1 million on ABC's "American Inventor," revealed in the reality show's season finale Wednesday night.
At Topper's Pizza in Camarillo, Chavez, friends and family watched the pre-taped show as his Guardian Angel, designed to suppress Christmas tree fires, beat out the final competition: a convertible brassiere and a custom designed toy kit.
"It's amazing," Chavez said, after his wife and children rushed the stage to congratulate him during the taping. "A year ago, I was sitting in a chair at the house and I was watching the show, and I told my wife, I am going to win next year.' And she said, I know you are.'"
Chavez and five other finalists had defeated thousands of contenders in national auditions. He was one of three who advanced during the semifinal round that aired July 25. Viewers made the final decision, calling and text messaging their votes to ABC in a two-hour window after the show.
Chavez describes his invention as a small, pressurized tank of water that looks like a present placed under the Christmas tree. The tank is attached to a small hose leading to the top of the tree, where a temperature-sensitive fusible link is disguised as an angel. The heat from a fire pops the link and dispenses three gallons of water within four seconds to suppress the fire. An alarm sounds simultaneously to alert people to leave the house.
"Greg's invention it saves lives," said competitor Ricky DeRennaux, an Oklahoma teacher who invented the toy kit. "That's really hard to compete with. And boy, you can't put a price on someone's life."
Worked on invention for 15 years
In the season finale, First Alert President Tom Russo said he would work with Chavez to make his invention a household product.
Chavez, his family and friends were unable to speak to the media until the winner was announced, according to ABC's confidentiality agreement.
After working on his invention for 15 years, Chavez wouldn't jeopardize the contract because he believes in the Guardian Angel.
"There are 600 million homes in the world that celebrate Christmas," Chavez said during his pitch to the judges in the semifinal round. "The potential for tragedy is staggering."
Before "American Inventor" came along, Chavez had built a crude prototype, but didn't have the means to develop the product further.
The show, which proclaims it will find the next hottest product, held national casting calls in six major cities across the country. Chavez auditioned in San Francisco in late May.
A finalist was selected from each audition, and inventors were given $50,000 seed money for product development and market research. They had a month to work before the semifinal round, which would narrow the six finalists to three.
During that two-hour episode, the inventors presented their final products to the four judges to show what they had accomplished. There was no shortage of cringes and criticism from the judges.
The judges chided Elaine Cato, a Realtor from Tennessee, for not collecting market data on how many women would want backless bras.
Though they enjoyed DeRennaux's presentation, they wondered if his "Custom Build Racers" remote-control car and plane kits could be "the next must-have toy," or if it would get lost on the shelf. He was the first to be eliminated in the final round.
Two trees shown in flames
There was mostly praise for Chavez, who showed the Guardian Angel in action. He played a video of two Christmas trees in flames, one with the fire suppression system, the other without. The device extinguished the fire within three minutes, while the other fire had consumed the entire room in the same period of time.
"I'm not going to even question what you've done with $50,000," said judge Peter Jones, a co-creator of the show. "It's obvious."
Pat Croce, entrepreneur and judge, said Chavez's pitch was "incredible." But Croce said he struggled with whether the Guardian Angel could work not just once, but every time.
"We've seen it working once," Croce said. "I'd like to see it working 1,000 times before it goes to market."
On the Net: abc.go.com/primetime/americaninventor
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 2, 2007 at 5:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I watched this episode. And I though Mr.Chavez's invention was incredible !!! A true life saver! Just as he is being a fireman!
Congratualtions to the Chavez family!! I think your product is GREAT !!!!!! Hope it saves many many lives !!!
Posted by ecarson1958 on August 2, 2007 at 7:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Probably every fireman out there that watched the show thought either,"why didn't I think of something like that, or, I thought of that before but just didn't do anything." Well this fireman did and will enjoy the benefits financially for the rest of his life and his childrens lives, and most of all, the lives that his invention saves. Good luck marketing and selling your product.
Posted by BeaHappi on August 2, 2007 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Very cool! Way to go Mr. Chavez!
Posted by monagirl1975 on August 2, 2007 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My aunt's tree burned her living room many years ago. Ever since, she has not purchased a xmas tree. Her kids went without one for years. I will tell her about this product, hopefully she will have a christmas tree in her home for xmas again.
Posted by CAPEDad on August 2, 2007 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm happy for Chavez, but I gotta tell you, I don't think this thing is going to sell - It's ugly. Besides, people are buying artificial trees more and more.
Good luck to him. I hope he keeps a good portion of the money for himself and doesn't dump it into developing this.
Posted by lori.an on August 2, 2007 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My husband & I have been watching the show & we have 4 children. I can't tell you how wonderful of an ideal we think it is, and to think a fellow Ventura County native invented it makes it even better! Kudos to Mr. Chavez!!!!
Posted by JenLynn on August 2, 2007 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CAPEDad I think more people are buying artificial trees because of the danger of fires, I know we do. Maybe there could be other styles besides an Angel available also.
Way to go Mr Chavez, what a hero!!
Posted by CAPEDad on August 2, 2007 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I know JenLynn and I'm proud of Chavez too. I agree with vcr though. Just can't see folks buying this thing for what'll probably be around $50 (just guessing).
Then again, what I know about product development/marketing wouldn't fill a thimble. Maybe they'll only have to sell a few to be profitable.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 2, 2007 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
CAPEDad,You dont even know what the product looks like !!!!!!!! do you?? It looks like a gift under the tree. Holds two or three gallons of water which a pipe runs up to the top of tree and you cant see the pipe !!!!! And a beautiful angel on top........the sensor under the angel detects the smoke and releases the fire. Its a great invention.
What have you created????
JenLyn, there is ! You do not have to use the angel. You can put a star on top or whatever you desire.
And to the other remark up above......watering your tree does NOT keep it from burning up. People tend to leave thier trees up way too long....which makes the tree brittle. Its a true life saver.
I bought an artificial tree three years ago. Although my spouse always wants a real one. Well maybe now we can have one again !!!!!!!
Posted by CAPEDad on August 2, 2007 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
One more thing. I think a lot of people are going to worry about this thing false-triggering and drenching their living room carpet, tree, and xmas presents. That was one of the first thoughts that came to my mind. If the trigger is too robust, it might be delayed to the point that the tree is consumed in flames and spread to the structure. This, of course, is the crux of the design and will have to be thoroughly tested during development.
If Chavez can eliminate that concern, he'll have a better chance at success. Good luck to him.
Posted by tiggerfan8762002 on August 2, 2007 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go Greg Chavez for the awesome invention. This product will save many lives and help families get out in time if there is a fire in their tree. He is a true hero..Thank you Mr. Chavez..
Posted by inapickle on August 2, 2007 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am a buyer for a very large retail Christmas store. I would be very interested in stocking this product in our store. It is a very good idea. The Angel is very attractive and the system looks as though it is easy to install. It may not be for everyone, but it will be a great item to help ease some of the fears involved with using a cut tree in their home. If you need a rep to help market it, I have a great source.
Posted by CAPEDad on August 2, 2007 at 11:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Inapickle - what do you think people would pay for this?
Posted by spd1275 on August 2, 2007 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
19.95 at retailers, 5.95 at Walmart. Maybe even an a 30 minute infomercial, 5 equal monthy payments od 15.99 plus shipping and handling charges.
Posted by archtmf on August 2, 2007 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations to Greg Chavez! Way to go. I voted for you 10 times during the two hour voting period (5 times each on two separate phone lines), so I was rooting for ya.
I think the idea is fantastic. Sure it needs to be refined and have the bugs worked out, but for gosh sakes, it's only really been under trial and testing for a few months... what do people expect??? Instant final development? That's not the way design and manufacturing works. Ask First Alert. I'm sure they spend millions designing, testing, and refining each and every one of their products before they go on the market. And they saw the potential in this product that they are going to work with Greg to make it a reality.
Every product on the market started out with nothing more than an idea in someone's head. Greg was the one who had this idea. I have no doubt that it can move forward and someday do for saving lives from Christmas tree fires what LoJack does for stolen vehicle recovery.
Posted by 805grl on August 2, 2007 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Id buy one!! I always worry about the tree burning up..EXCELLENT idea. I think that with help it will look better, work better, and be a hot item. Lets give the guy a break, it is an awesome idea...
Posted by medicb on August 2, 2007 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats Greg, as a paramedic I have to say that I love your idea and for it to come from someone so close to home made it even more special. I know what its like to hold that lifeless child because of a christmas tree fire days before what's supposed to be the best and happiest days of the year for children. We are all proud of you, my family and all of my co-workers, the whole time the show was running my dad would be like this show has a whole bunch of idiots who have wasted their time and money; and than they have a firefighter who actually has something good, something worth while. I will be first to buy the Guardian Angel so my children can have their real Christmas tree and I don't have to worry, it doesnt matter what it costs because you really cant put a price to someone's life and we firefighters and paramedics understand that better than anyone. Way to go Greg, keep up the good work and stay safe.
Posted by high_society on August 2, 2007 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's not forget that Chaves is a fireman, so he sees this more often than we do.
Either way, congrats!
Posted by rebel123 on August 2, 2007 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This device will not be cheap. He's going to need to get it UL approved before he can sell it. Frankly, though it's a good idea, I doubt it is going to be affordable enough for most households to consider buying it. It's the unfortunate reality that most people think "it won't happen to me". This will not sell to most households unless they can keep it well under $50. I think that's going to be very difficult, considering the technology involved. And I also worry about the false alarm that drenches everything with no fire! Frankly, I think the convertible bra was a much more marketable idea.
Posted by Fyrjefe on August 2, 2007 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations Greg. You and your family had the faith to follow through on your idea and inspiration. That's why firefighters walk into the flames as others are turning away. Great idea.
Posted by archtmf on August 2, 2007 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If they get it down to an affordable price point, then it will sell. If it proves that it is saving lives, it may become required equipment by local authorities someday. Who knows? There was a time before GFI outlets, spark suppression outlets, smoke detectors, chimney spark arrestors, and even home fire sprinklers were a part of every new home. Now they are commonplace.
Posted by onapproach on August 2, 2007 at 8:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it's great!
Posted by Hwy126 on August 2, 2007 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This techonology is not complicated, folks. Fusible links have been around for many decades. As for false activations, how often have you seen a fire sprinkler pop off at random?
This is basically just a fire sprinkler for your Christmas tree. He took existing technologies and applied them in a new way. Genius idea. I hope it makes him a wealthy man.
Posted by inapickle on August 3, 2007 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People have been known to pay a lot of money for items that they consider to be necessary in their lives and for their peace of mind. When icicle lights first came out, I sold them for $30.00 a set of 100 lights and I couldn't keep them in stock. I sell out of Tree stands that sell for $70.00 to $100.00 a pop each and every year. Price is a small issue when there is a product that is unique and considered a real need. I know this is going to be a great product, but he needs to be certain to get all of his Patents in order before someone runs with the idea and knocks it off.
Posted by turtle2x2 on August 3, 2007 at 8:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
For several years my husband and I have had an ornament on our tree that is really a smoke alarm. It looks just like a regular ball ornament. I think Mr. Chavez' creation is a great idea and doesn't look any worse than alot of the ornaments out there. Good luck to him and his family for this great idea!
Posted by CALA on August 3, 2007 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think this is a great idea but it would probably be cheaper to just get lights with safety fuses and keep the tree away from heat sources.
Posted by sparkysfamily on August 3, 2007 at 7:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
VenturaCountyStar coverage painted a very clear picture of Greg Chavez, the Guardian Angel, and American Inventor program. Your news coverage and the detailed description of the Guardian Angel, how the American Inventor selection process works, enables readers who cannot see a TV program to be as knowledgable as TV viewers.
I felt as if I were in the audience (without TV coverage).
Thank you for the exceptional coverage of Greg Chavez's trip from auditioning to winning on American Inventor.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 4, 2007 at 9:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As in my previous post like I said I love Greg's Guardian Angel idea !! Its terrific!
But we do need to take some responsibility for things that are pron to catch fire. Like shutting the lights off at night on the tree. Keepint the tree watered. And not leaving it up after its brittle. People have to take responsibility for everything in thier households.
Posted by w.mccormick on August 5, 2007 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe he should include a circuit breaker to cut off electrical power to any light strings that may be shorting out or over-heating?
Posted by AnnaWhaat on August 5, 2007 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well alot of people think they can put outside lights on indoor trees. Which get much hotter. Remember the branches are brittle. Its GOING to start a fire........
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