Edward Balian is president of the 250-member San Diego Inventors Forum networking group that he helped organize in 2005.

Not every inventor will garner fame like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison or Alexander Graham Bell. But today’s curious thinkers are keeping the tradition of these forefathers alive by creating what they believe are new and improved ways of making things work.

Today, inventors across the nation are trying to push their “creative” products out to the masses, from games and unique gardening equipment to accessories, low-tech consumer products and sophisticated high-tech innovations. Even large corporations are seeking independent inventors to help make their products taste better or operate more effectively.

But, unlike the Ben Franklin era, 21st century inventors often face hurdles in getting their ideas and products developed and accepted by regulators, patent offices, investors and consumers. Locally, inventors can overcome some of these challenges via the San Diego Inventors Forum. The networking group, which has about 250 members, brings together successful inventors and entrepreneurs with the focus of turning great ideas into products and taking them to market.

Inventors participating in the forum learn strategies for developing inventions into products on a limited budget; have opportunities to tap into existing marketing and distribution challenges; have access to professional consultants, product evaluation and hands-on support; and get expert input and help with issues related to prototyping, manufacturing and retail packaging.

“We give a lot of support to the creation of business and marketing plans for these startup inventions,” said Edward Balian, 59, president and co-founder of the San Diego Inventors Forum. “We help them figure out (if) they want to sell the product or do they want to license or franchise it? That changes what their path might be. Some of the inventors just want to sell a toy or product to Mattel, for example.

“Going from the initial idea to a finished marketable product is a very long journey in most cases,” Balian added. “The San Diego Inventors Forum helps streamline that journey for inventors.”

Making Connections

During its monthly meetings, the forum brings in speakers to talk to local inventors on topics such as patents, production, design, engineering, market research, marketing, distribution, promotion and Web site development. Connecting inventors to local business leaders, service providers and the community is a crucial element of moving an invention from the idea stage to the finished product, Balian says. Balian, whose wife Judy is also an inventor, created his first invention at the age of 4 — games involving football and baseball cards.

Balian, who earned a Ph.D. in research from Wayne State University in Detroit at the age of 29, was one of the first authors in the United States to invent software to accompany books. Balian has created several other inventions since then and credits the forum and its members for keeping his innovative spirit alive.

“You get a rush from a new idea or from watching another inventor demonstrate their new product or ideas,” he said. “When you see invention and entrepreneurship in action, it’s a powerful thing.

“We’ve had some phenomenal inventions,” Balian added about the forum, which started in 2005 and began to formally take shape a year later.

“We’ve had inventors of very sophisticated medical equipment, toys, games, a portable garden and even a revolutionary medical apparatus that heals foot ulcers of diabetes patients.”