This group started in April 2010.  The biography of the inventors is considered as important as the invention(s) themselves. Talks on NZ inventors are encouraged and inventions can range from the seriously successful to the wonderfully wacky. Visits to people and places add variety and give ‘real time’ meaning to the continuing creative spirit. The first talks for this group illustrate our palette of interests: Graeme Jones [Inventor] on Audio Speaker Technology – [home visit]; The Hamilton Jet; Unusual Inventions; John Britten and his Motorbike; Alfred Nobel; Hayes Engineering – Otago; The Number Zero; Navman & GPS; Batteries, Microphones, Jet Engines, Aircraft industry topics and devolpment, 3D Printing, Medical scanners, Bill Gates and  more.

Graeme Jones [Inventor] Flat panel Audio Speaker Technology

September 2011 meeting at Kevins place

Kevin showing some of his characterture drawings of local Golfers over the years. His artwork . .  wow.

The Group photo from Kevins balcony view of the “Greens” from his villiage apartment Sept 2011

What happens when you get 8 of the Inventions - Inventors Group in a lift and there is a mirror outside in the hall.  They all want to have a look at themselves ! ! OH YEH.  Is their next meetings topic on Lifts or Mirrors? Host, Kevin the comedian, and a very much enjoyed afternoon at Fairview.

Visit in June 2011 to see a twin seater plane a WWII Mosquito aircraft being restored to fly in South Auckland

John W arranged a 3-car excursion to South Auckland area to view aircraft under construction by talented mature enthusiasts. A full on ‘Blokes and Sheds’ experience. A dual seater was viewed first – about half way to completion, wood construction, powered by a modified Subaru flat-4 engine. Amazing amount of work and knowledge.

At the next site a WW II Mosquito bomber construction was well along, in wood, with 2 Rolls Royce Merlin power plants off site being rebuilt. About 3 years to finish. Costly! Finished aircraft (2 seater) worth millions.

This was followed by a visit to Ardmore to view another Mosquito that was in a nearly completed state with both engines mounted but more finalwork going on in the bomb bay, hydraulics and cockpit area. This airplane was being finished by the Warbirds group forsupply to an aircraft museum in the USA. Three members of the Inventions group had worked in the aircraft industry in the past and hugely enjoyed the trip. Other historic planes were also visible with Warbirds at Ardmore, including a Spitfire. Thanks again to John for organising a splendid day.