Whirlpool Brand Names Mothers of Invention

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- After reviewing more than 1,700 entries from moms across the country, Whirlpool selected Theresa Riep as the 2005 Whirlpool Mother of Invention Grant grand prize winner.

In an effort to protect Riep's idea so it can gain patent protection and be brought to market, Whirlpool cannot reveal details on Riep's invention at this time. As a general synopsis, the brand said it is a product that improves upon child safety measures. Other top five winners' product ideas or innovations range from services designed specifically for moms to products that help kids and the disabled.

While many of the 1,700 entries were considered insightful and innovative, Whirlpool assembled a cross-disciplinary panel to narrow ideas to their top 30 picks. Then, Whirlpool's senior innovation judging teams along with catalogue innovator Lillian Vernon and Baby Einstein creator Julie Aigner-Clark, picked the top 5 winners.

Whirlpool developed the 2005 Whirlpool Brand Mother of Invention Grant earlier this year to provide moms with the necessary business resources, such as seed money and expert advice, to bring their business dreams to fruition. While the Whirlpool brand is known for its appliances, the objective of the grant focused on recognizing motherly ingenuity and providing support to fellow innovators.

"We were overwhelmed by the response we received to the Mother of Invention Grant," said Audrey Reed-Granger, director of consumer insight for the Whirlpool Brand. "We had a hunch that the program would resonate with today's moms and we're so proud to be in a position to give moms the seed money they need to realize their dreams."

As the grand-prize winner, Riep will receive a $15,000 grant, a new home office, and Whirlpool brand's most innovative products: a Duet(R) washer and dryer and the new Whirlpool Gold(R) kitchen appliance suite. Riep will also attend a one-day business boot camp to leverage Whirlpool expertise from product development and marketing to everything in between.

Sarah Harrison and Lisa Blau received first place recognition with their business product ideas. The first place winners each receive a $5,000 grant, a Whirlpool(R) kitchen suite, and a Duet(R) washer and dryer pair. Second place prizes were awarded to Marcia Atkins, Nancy Reames, and Christine Steendahl. Each second prize winner will receive a $2,500 grant and a Whirlpool(R) Gold electric range.

Information on 2005 Whirlpool Mother of Invention Grant winners can be found on https://www.whirlpool.com/moms .

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of over $13 billion, 68,000 employees, and nearly 50 manufacturing and technology research centers around the globe. The company markets Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Brastemp, Bauknecht, Consul and other major brand names to consumers in more than 170 countries.

  Contact:

  Audrey Reed-Granger
  Director of Public Relations, Whirlpool
  269.923.7557
  Audrey_Reed-Granger@Whirlpool.com

  Jana Rhodes
  Zeno for Whirlpool
  312.396.9730
  Jana.rhodes@zenogroup.com