Entrepreneurs develop Thermorest line of heated computer products
By Alexa McAllister, ThisWeek Contributor
June 16, 2008
Photo by Ann Tormet/ThisWeek
Mike Thiergartner, seated, of Milford Center and Art Woolum of Marysville are co-inventors of the Thermorest, a heated wrist rest for keyboards.
Hostage to his computer from 9 to 5, Mike Thiergartner said his work began to suffer when he developed chronic cold hands, or Raynaud's syndrome. He needed to find a way to warm up his hands and stop the aches.
Thiergartner turned to a heating pad — but he didn't use it in the traditional way.
He ripped the pad so it could fit under his wrists while he typed. He said this improved blood circulation, alleviating his symptoms.
An invention and a business were born.
Thiergartner, operations manager for McAulliffe's Industrial in Marysville, established Thermorest to provide thermal computer accessories. The product line's goal is to soothe and possibly prevent computer-related stress through heat therapy, giving sufferers an option other than surgery.
"My cold, aching hands not only impaired my typing skills, but also hampered my ability to concentrate," Thiergartner said. "Physically and mentally I felt debilitated."
Thiergartner and his business partner, Art Woolum of Marysville, operate what they say is the sole provider and rights holder of heated computer accessories in the United States.
About a year after they started the business, they're in the process of seeking an agreement with retailers and the medical field to sell their products.
"We're the little acorn that become the oak … or at least we hope," Woolum said.
The business, however, got off to an inauspicious start. Unable to find thermal computer accessories on the market, Thiergartner decided to test his entrepreneurial spirit and make his own heated wrist pad. But with open wires dangling from the first prototype, it was obvious further developments were needed. "My wife dubbed me a crazy scientist after my first concoction burned through her antique desk," he said.
That led him to Woolum, an electrical engineer who serves as a quality auditor for the United States Department of Defense. As an engineer, he understood the technical needs for such a product.
Now the pair needed to find a company to fund the costly product development process and ultimately become the main manufacturer.
Several office and computer suppliers passed on the opportunity; Thermorest didn't heat up until a meeting with John Doty, President of Battle Creek Equipment.
"I wish I had thought of that," Doty said of Thermorest's heated wrist pad, which plugs in to a standard electrical outlet.
Doty agreed to fund the prototype process. Headed by Battle Creek's lead operations manager, John Coakes, nine prototypes resulted.
"We don't want our customers to be subjugated to disposable-camera grade products," Woolum said. "This is an investment in their lifelong health. Battle Creek created a product that will stand up to daily use for years."
The Thermorest heated wrist pad is available on the Web at www.thermorest.net, or by calling (937) 537-0367. Products in the works include heated footpads for under the desk and heated mouse pads along with sleeves to customize the color of each product, Thiergartner and Woolum said.
