ABC's American Inventor Gives Inventors a Forum for Their Ideas

ABC began its 2007 "American Inventor" season on June 6th. The show, which according to the ABC website is "the embodiment of the ultimate American dream" hopes to discover this year's hottest new invention and the inventor with enough of a dreamer inside to make everything come together. The show is co-created by Simon Cowell, of "American Idol" fame, and Peter Jones, who also serves as one of the show's judges.

National casting calls were held throughout the U.S., focusing within six major cities - - Los Angeles and San Francisco, California; Chicago, Illinois; New York, New York; Houston, Texas; and Tampa, Florida. Thousands of inventors auditioned; all seeking the opportunity to show their idea on national television; hoping to make it to the finals and receive the seed money to bring their invention to fruition. But in truth, all eyes are on the million dollar grand prize.

Although some of the aspects of the show remain the same from season one to this year, the panel of judges has changed. Still on board is Peter Jones, but joining him for season two is a roster of new entrepreneurs including Sara Blakely, Pat Croce, and George Foreman.

Peter Jones is a British business guru television producer, and celebrity. Sara Blakey is an entrepreneur and inventor of SPANX, a body slimming product for women. Pat Croce is a nationally renowned motivational speaker and author. George Foreman is a former heavyweight boxing champion, ordained minister, entrepreneur and charity organizer.

This noted panel of judges will, week by week, narrow the field of inventors with one goal in mind: To find the best of the best. Those individuals will receive $50,000 in seed money to further develop and refine their inventions for the semi-final round. Then, the American public will take over. Audience participants can call in and vote for the invention they believe to be worthy of the one million dollar grand prize.