Inventor Jake Zien dreamed up Pivot Power as a high school senior and submitted it to Quirky in 2010 while attending the Rhode Island School of Design. Like many of Quirky’s best sellers, it solved a universal problem: fitting plugs of varying sizes into conventional power strips and outlets. With many additional variations, Quirky built an entire category and ecosystem around Mr. Zien’s initial submission.
Created at Quirky, NYC
A FLEXIBLE STRIP
This power strip was the first Quirky product chosen that was powered through a standard electrical outlet. Because of this, it posed a bit more of an engineering challenge than we had been used to. Since its launch, the Pivot Power product line has encompassed everything from a tough workshop variation to a smart connected product you can control from your phone. We now sell these products in multiple countries worldwide, making lots of money for Jake and all the Quirky community members who helped develop those products.
Jake first described Pivot Power as a solution that would allow large power bricks to fit on a power strip.
PACKAGING PIVOT POWER
Quirky packs had glossy front covers with clear product explanations. The hand-drawn backs showcased the origin as napkin concepts by everyday people, created by our in-house design team. The drawings reflected the brand's wit and the personal expression of our designers.
INVENTING AT BED BATH BEYOND
Pivot Power was a product we showcased at Bed Bath and Beyond. Quirky highlighted Jake Zien explaining that this powerstrip was ‘invented by an everyday person like you.’ We also had a week where you could tweet your invention idea to BBB, and one of our Quirky designers would sketch it out for you in their shop window on 6th Avenue in Manhattan.
Pivot Power was featured in WIRED magazine as a “product they wish they had thought of.”
MULTIPLE PRODUCT LINES
Pivot Power took off quickly; we capitalized by creating multiple versions for different use cases and selling the product internationally. By 2012 Pivot Power had become its own business unit within Quirky with dedicated staff.
In 2012 Pivot Power sales led to $22+ million in revenue, with over $2.7 million dollars going to the Quirky community who helped build this product.
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Designers
Quirky in-house Design team
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Photography + Videos
Quirky in-house team & Marshall Troy
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Inventor
Jake Zein