The Editor's Desk...
with Mike Foley
ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY
April is always a special time of year for us at the Dream Merchant. Back in April, 1990, the small and modest "Dream Merchant Newsletter" was born. And within three years, we became a full-size magazine, the leading publication for inventors in the United States. And now, in 2007, we're looking at our 17th anniversary, a landmark that fills us with a great deal of pride and a profound sense of accomplishment.
But we wouldn't be here without the help and inspiration provided by many special people who have assisted us over the years. In particular, Linda Black and Karen Nielsen, who have lent so much time and computer expertise in helping to run our office. Without the talents of these wonderful women, The Dream Merchant would not be celebrating this anniversary.
And, of course, the hundreds and hundreds of inventors who have contacted us over the years with their personal stories have been a deep inspiration for all of us. During the past few weeks, we were saddened to lose one of our favorite people--Tom Lowry, an early friend of the Dream Merchant, an innovator who spent a lifetime searching for solutions to business and mechanical problems.
Tom began his business career in his early teens, using a small pony to start a successful hauling business. He later became a pilot, served in the Seabee's during the Korean War, and later worked for the City of Carson in Southern California.
"He was a true innovator," says Dream Merchant Publisher John Moreland. "He wasn't one to sit around and watch TV. Tom was always out in his shop, designing something new. And if he ran into a problem, he always seemed to find a solution."
In later years, his passion ran to his 1918 Model T Ford and mobile peanut roasters, which he tested with great success at various weekend shows and venues. During the last 17 years, Tom became a part of the Dream Merchant experience, often dropping by the office for coffee and to share his latest ideas and projects. Tom had a quiet "gift of gab" that often brightened our day and renewed our own creative juices.
Tom was the embodiment of the best in the invention community--a person willing to encourage, to help, to make life better. He was an example of what we can all do to assist and inspire each other. We at the Dream Merchant are better people for having known Tom Lowry and his example will live on in all of us.
And you--all of you--can adopt the same attitude that fueled Tom. You can learn to approach life with a sense of wonder, curiosity, and a willingness to help and solve problems. Imagine the creative ideas and new products that could spring from that attitude. Imagine a world infused with such an attitude. A beautiful world indeed.
We at the Dream Merchant wish all this for you, as a tribute to our good friend Tom Lowry. Here's to another 17 creative years.
Best of luck with all your great ideas.
Mike Foley Editor
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