Golden Mousetraps? What's That?

The deadline for entering Design News' annual Golden Mousetrap Awards is about a month away, and we've received some great entries. But we've also received a few inquiries asking, "What is a Golden Mousetrap Award?" I was, admittedly, a bit surprised by the question, as the Golden Mousetraps have been around since 2003.

For those not in the know, the Golden Mousetrap Awards honor innovation in the development of new products in automation, electronics, materials, and design tools -- the four pillars of design, as we like to refer to them.

The winners and finalists, chosen by our Advisory Board and Content Team, are highlighted on DesignNews.com and in print. If you're chosen, you also receive logos, so you can brag about the news on your own website/promotional materials. In addition, those products receive spotlight coverage in a 2014 New Product Newsletter.

Even more exciting is the fact that the winners will be honored during a live ceremony in Anaheim, Calif. (held in February in conjunction with the Pacific Design & Manufacturing Show, and our annual Rising Engineering Stars award, in partnership with Mouser Electronics). The GMT awards themselves are worth the price of entering -- they are being 3D-printed by Stratasys. How cool is that?

Here are a few more things you need to know:

If you have questions that have not been answered here, please email me at [email protected].

Remember, bragging rights are on the line, so enter today.