A native of Nigeria who grew up in Chesapeake is among five finalists in a Wal-Mart competition for new inventions. The final round of voting will begin Tuesday.
Tumi Oredein, 26, a graduate of Indian River High School who left Africa when he was 3 months old, loved to draw and wear wristbands in his youth. But he couldn’t express his moods on the bands: sadness, happiness, support for a sports team.
So he created Skribs. You can write a message on the wristbands with a dry-erase marker or ballpoint pen and erase it with your finger, said Oredein, an engineering graduate of the University of Virginia and now a master’s student in product innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University.
His invention made the top 20 and won the top spot in the Kids’ Stuff category. In the final round, which will run through Thursday, customers will vote by placing orders. A pack of three Skribs with a marker costs $8.95.
The winner will get marketing help from Wal-Mart, and the invention could be sold at its stores. But even if he doesn’t win, Oredein will have his product on Walmart.com for an indefinite period.
“It’s really amazing,” he said. “Having Wal-Mart as my first client is a great launching pad for my career.”
To see his wristbands, go to getontheshelf.walmart.com.
Distributed by MCT Information Services.
