JPL Annual Invention Challenge - 2012

Under beautiful blue skies and no wind, the JPL Invention Challenge was held on the 180 Mall with more than 300 spectators and participants.  This year's contest objective was to create a device that propels a provided roll of tissue paper such that the tissue unravels in mid-air and creates a long unbroken stream.  Each team will be allowed to operate their device twice.  The winner will be the team whose device propels the roll and creates the longest unbroken stream of tissue paper.

A total of 20 school teams and 8 JPL teams came up with different ways to accomplish this task.  The energy sources were varied such as surgical tubing, bungee cords, gravity, belt drive, and a flywheel.  The longest throw is shown below for each team.

The JPL teams and the school teams performed well.  It was a difficult challenge because of the balance between throwing the TP roll a long distance and avoiding tearing the TP from its anchor on the device.  My congratulations go out to everyone who worked on this challenging problem.

I wish to thank all of the volunteers (listed below) that put on the show.  Without their help, the event would not have been possible.  A special thanks goes out to Kim Lievense and her Public Services team, headed by Roni Dash, for collecting the entry forms and video release forms and processing more than 240 student badges for all of the student teams.  I also wish to acknowledge the talented work performed by Robert Denise for being the master of ceremonies during the contest.

4800 Oak Grove Drive
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Mail Stop 126-347
Located in Building 126-336
Pasadena, CA 91109

Paul MacNeal
paul.d.macneal@jpl.nasa.gov
Phone: (818) 354-7824