Why I spent 3 years working on a coat hanger

Summary

After a three-year endeavor, the creator introduces the 'Coat Hinger', a foldable coat hanger designed to save space in shallow closets. The Kickstarter campaign for this innovative product has just launched. The hanger features a simple yet complex design that allows clothes to be hung folded, reducing the distance from the wall. The final version is a result of extensive prototyping, including iterations with wood and wire, and now consists of three injection-molded parts for optimal friction and durability. The creator expresses gratitude for the support that makes their product business possible.

Takeaways

• 🕒 Spent three years: The creator dedicated three years to designing a coat hanger that fits better in small spaces.
• 🚀 Launched Kickstarter: A Kickstarter campaign was launched to fund the production of the coat hanger.
• 🧥 Problem Solving: The coat hanger was designed to solve the problem of limited space in closets and bedrooms.
• 🔄 Foldable Design: The coat hanger features a foldable design to allow clothes to be hung closer to the wall.
• 🧲 Innovative Use of Magnets: Early prototypes used magnets to secure the hanger in place.
• 🔗 Material Evolution: The design evolved from wood to wire to ensure durability and adjustability for different clothing thicknesses.
• 🛠️ Manufacturing Challenges: The creator faced challenges in manufacturing, particularly with achieving the right friction and avoiding squeaking.
• 🏭 Final Design: The final product consists of three injection-molded parts that provide control over friction and prevent squeaking.
• 💸 Financial Struggles: Despite the creator's passion, running the business is financially challenging without sufficient support.
• 🙌 Community Support: The creator emphasizes the importance of community support for the success of the product and the business.
• 🌟 Pride in Innovation: The creator is proud of the coat hanger as it offers a unique solution to a common problem.

Q & A

What problem did the creator spend three years trying to solve?

The creator spent three years trying to solve the problem of not being able to fit a coat rack in their bedroom, which was causing annoyance.

What is the name of the coat hanger the creator designed?

The name of the coat hanger is the 'coat hinger'.

What is unique about the 'coat hinger' design?

The 'coat hinger' is designed to fold, allowing clothes to be hung closer to the wall, which is a completely new way of storing clothes.

How does the 'coat hinger' save space compared to traditional coat hangers?

The 'coat hinger' saves space by being able to be hung folded with clothes on them, which traditional coat hangers do not do.

What materials did the creator experiment with during the development of the 'coat hinger'?

The creator experimented with wood and wire materials during the development of the 'coat hinger'.

Why did the creator switch from wood to wire for the 'coat hinger'?

The creator switched from wood to wire because wood was hard to manufacture at scale with critical tolerances and would break if dropped.

What is the final material and design of the 'coat hinger'?

The final version of the 'coat hinger' consists of three injection molded parts over molded onto the wire and clips into a plastic clip.

What challenges did the creator face in ensuring consistent friction between the metal components?

Ensuring consistent friction between the metal components was challenging due to the difficulty in controlling friction and the tendency for the hanger to squeak.

How does the injection molded plastic interface contribute to the functionality of the 'coat hinger'?

The injection molded plastic interface allows for full control of friction and eliminates the squeaking issue, making the 'coat hinger' more functional and user-friendly.

What was the creator's motivation for running a product business despite the challenges?

The creator's motivation for running a product business is their belief in their products and pride in the team's work, aiming to solve everyday problems with unique solutions.

How can people support the 'coat hinger' project?

People can support the 'coat hinger' project by visiting the Kickstarter page or sharing the link with others who might find it useful.