This is boring but fucken nuts

Share this post

Does the world need a Flying washing machine?

boredfund.substack.com

Does the world need a Flying washing machine?

How to invalidate your stupid idea that just might work

Omar Najjar
Sep 11, 2022
Share this post

Does the world need a Flying washing machine?

boredfund.substack.com

Today, in honor of 'Crazy Inventions Week'. Bored.Investments Director, Omar Najjar let's loose on the crazy idea of building a flying washing machine - just because he can...

Many great ideas start this way - "I have a borderline dumb/crazy idea that just might work." You had a tho8ght in the shower, it's silly, you start laughing but then like a crappy ad jingle, it gets stuck in your brain, and no amount of singing ABBA songs will erase it. It comes to you at 2:00am while you're laying wide awake. Maybe people really want a flying washing machine? 

Okay, I know its crazy, but just as an exercise - lets look at some design options....

1. Attach a washing machine to a plane

2. Check it doesn't fall on people's head

3. Wait, don't buildit what are you doing?!!

4. Figure out who actually wants such a machine? aka identifying your target customers. Is it airline pilots going on long journeys from Sydney to Qatar and want their “I Dream of Jeannie” fan boxers to be washed and flown amongst them? 

5. Ok, cool, now you've spoken to 35 “I Dream of Jeannie” fans that happen to be pilots by finding a Facebook group called "Pilots who Dream of Jeanie" and now you're using open ended questions to follow them on a journey....Do they wear briefs or boxers? Do they go on long flights? To where? How do they wash clothes on those flights?

6. Some of the answers encourage you. Yes! Huzzah There’s a market!

7. Wait! Before you go and Buildit! What problem are you solving that is painful and urgent? Is it really that hard to wash their briefs in the air, do they keep spare briefs with them because they CAN NOT fathom being without their lucky Barbara Eden underwear. Do they just sit in their filth and not tell anyone? Do they wash them mid air on their toilet breaks>?

8. Now figure out - if you were to create a flying washing machine with wings, how many of these pilots would buy one? Ask them if they'll give you their credit card, to 'pre-order' one BEFORE building it, this is how you know if they're actually serious, and not just being nice about your crazy idea. 

9. Okay we have 5 pilots who are happy to pay and have paid up, Now what? How many similar such pilots are there globally? Research what the price points are. Will your proposed pricing still provide you with a healthy profit? Are there any international aviation regulations or pesky laws of physics that may prove to be a barrier to entering this potentially lucrative market? Best to check at the 'inValidation' stage..

10. Will you have a longer term competitive advantage or will Samsung quickly come after you? What steps can you take to protect your Intellectual Property? Do you want a quick exit if you can sell to Samsung? How about one of their competitors?

11. How do you 'buildit'? Do you train a vulture to carry it, or do you need a jet engine and complex autopilot for it to fly itself? How do you mass produce and manufacture this if you have lots of demand

Whether you're thinking of building a flying washing machine, a solar-powered toothbrush, or just a better cat flap - there are certain basic invalidation techniques and design considerations that need to be addressed from Day 1.

Share this post

Does the world need a Flying washing machine?

boredfund.substack.com
Comments
TopNew

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 Omar Najjar
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing