Mel Blythe, a teaching assistant and mum of three from Leicestershire, won the inaugural E.ON EnergyLab competition last year with her invention, the Octopod.

Mel now has a fully functioning prototype and is welcoming investment from interested parties.

Below, Mel answers questions about her EnergyLab journey, and how the Octopod came to fruition.

About E.ON EnergyLab

Q: How did you hear about E.ON EnergyLab?
I came across the E.ON EnergyLab competition when I was researching wind turbines on behalf of the school where I work. As we are an Eco School, we’re always looking for ways to save energy.

Q: How did you feel about presenting at the E.ON EnergyLab events?
The regional heat was quite daunting at first – particularly as all of the other entrants were men who came armed with charts, laptop presentations and prototypes hidden under blankets! I’d turned up with a plastic toy box and some notes and really thought that I didn’t belong there. However, after being convinced that I might as well go ahead with my presentation, I did – and I really enjoyed it. I was completely dumbstruck when I was told I was being put forward to the finals.

Q: Has the competition changed your life and, if so, how?  
It has given me an insight into a different world – away from the world of education that I’ve been involved in for the last seven years. The competition has given me the chance to take an idea and develop it into an actual product, which is something I would never have achieved by myself.

About the Octopod

Q: How did you get the idea for the Octopod?
I’ve been studying with The Open University for several years now and found that one of the only chances I get the peace and quiet I need to be read in my house was whilst having a bath. As I’m only 5’4”, I found it hard to lie in the bath comfortably whilst not getting my books wet because my feet didn’t touch the end of the bath, so I’d keep slipping down the bath. I therefore decided that I needed something at the end of the bath that I could put my feet on to reduce the length of the bath. Then it occurred to me that if this object could also displace water, it would reduce the amount of hot water I’d need for each bath.

Q: Where did the name for the invention come from?
It was originally called the ‘Bath Boulder’ as the initial idea was basically a box functioning as a water saving device – and something to put my feet on. However, the concept evolved to become something that could also be a container for toiletries or bath toys to give it greater appeal and ensure it is multifunctional. The design for the Octopod came about after realising that the product would be most suitable for using in the bath with young children and it therefore needed to appeal to children under the age of eight.

Q: What stage are you at with the invention now?
I now have a fully-functioning (and very cute) prototype and I’m looking to take it to the manufacturing stage, and I need further investment and retail expertise to really push the Octopod forward.

About inventing

Q: Is this your first invention?  
Yes it is, but I’m now making notes on ideas I’ve had for other inventions with the intention of taking them forward once the Octopod is established.

Q: What advice would you give to any other budding inventors?
No matter how strange you may think your idea is, if you think it’s a good idea then keep working on it. Talk to friends about it because one seemingly insignificant comment from someone can prove to be the vital catalyst to help make your idea become reality.

Q: Have you always been interested in saving energy?
I’ve become more interested since having my family and realising that what we do now will affect future generations.   Also, since working at my children’s school, I’ve become heavily involved with the school’s Eco Committee. We’ve just been awarded our third Green Flag for Eco School’s status.

The past year

Q: How has your invention evolved over the past year?
It has evolved from a plastic box into an energy and water saving toy container in the shape of an Octopus.

Q: How has the last year been since you won the competition?
It’s been a steep learning curve. Having never been involved in business, design, manufacturing and so on, there’s been so much to think about that I would never have considered to be a part of the process.

Q: What would you say are the best and worst times over the past year?
The worst time was realising that the design that I thought would be the most popular amongst parents came out as the least favourite, so I doubted my decisions. Thankfully, we’ve taken feedback on board so that issue is now resolved. The best, besides winning the actual competition at the Tate and bumping into Greg Rusedski in the lift there, was seeing the prototype of the Octopod for the first time – I was amazed!

The future

Q: What are the next steps for the invention and your plans for the future?
I’m now looking to license the Octopod or for an investor to help me take the Octopod to the manufacturing stage. Then I’ll be looking into an idea I have for a complimentary water saving device to link in with the Octopod.

Q: Would you consider becoming a full time inventor?
I think people come up with the best ideas when they least expect it – so by pursuing my career in teaching I’ll be inspired by my pupils to invent energy saving products for their future. Hopefully I can encourage one or two of them to think about inventing something too!

For more details about E.ON EnergyLab, please contact:  
The E.ON team at The Red Consultancy on 0845 077 1984 or energylab@redconsultancy.co.uk or
Jag Kahlon at E.ON on 02476 181 308 or   jag.kahlon@eonenergy.com