Arthritis Glove Wins Invention Contest

A 7-year-old, trying to make life easier for two family members, has won a regional invention competition for school children.

Nathan Adams’ grandfather had difficulty holding a fork because of arthritis. Nathan proposed putting velcro on the palm and thumb of a gardening glove, and also on a fork and spoon.

He also cut the fingers off the glove, allowing the wearer to eat finger food.

Nathan submitted his proposal to last year’s Invent America contest. The first-grader recently learned he won the regional level of the contest, earning a $500 savings bond.

Nathan’s grandfather, Bill McMahon, died before he could try the glove, but Nathan included a picture of him in the project display.

Nathan was not idle while waiting to hear the results of the contest. He entered again with a “handy light switch” for toddlers.

“My little sister couldn’t reach the light so she crawled on a dresser to get it and fell down,” Nathan said.

That inspired him to propose hanging a stick on the switch so little ones could use it until their arms grew long enough. That invention won the Monforton School level of the competition.