Levitating Light Bulb…Episode 45…Simon Morris and Flyte
The following are the show notes from the Invention Stories Podcast Episode 45…our interview with Simon Morris and Flyte…
Simon Morris
Simon Morris has been obsessed with making objects float in midair ever since he was a child. He managed to turn a skateboard into a hover board, though as he recalls, “I couldn’t ride on it.”
He’s applying that same passion to Flyte Light, a light bulb that relies on electromagnetism to levitate and spin, and on resonant inductive coupling (a technical term for wireless power transmission) to shine. Simon sees his design as a seamless blend of art and science honoring both pragmatists, like Thomas Edison, and dreamers, like Nikola Tesla. His customers seem to agree: Morris says Flyte has sold so well since its official launch that his team has introduced an ecosystem of floating products, including a planter, Lyfe and the Story Timepiece. “We’re just scratching the surface,” he says and I believe him.
FLYTE LIGHT
Set the light bulb free.
Flyte is a levitating light which hovers by magnetic levitation and is powered through the air.
The Art of Craft
Designed in Sweden, the Flyte base is made of quarter-sawn oak, ash and walnut wood finishes. They want your Flyte to look and feel good while lasting a long time. They use energy efficient LEDs rated at about 50,000 hours. That works out to 11 years at 12 hours a day!
Flyte Light Technical Breakdown
- Levitation height: 15mm-17mm
- Lifetime: 50 000 Hours.
- Efficiency: 16Lm/W.
- Max Brightness: 60 Lumens.
- Power Adapter: 15 Volts US/EU/UK/AU Plug.
- Global Voltage Compatible: 100 – 240V.
- Weight of Base: 500 grams / 1.10 Pounds.
- Base Dimensions: 126mm x 126mm x 30mm. 5.0inch x 5.0inch x 1.2inch.
- Lightbulb Dimensions: 140mm x 70mm x 45mm.
- Usage: Indoor Use Only.
LYFE PLANTER
Setting your plants free…
Lyfe Planter is a zero-gravity growing system allows you to cultivate your favorite plants in mid-air.
360 Degrees Sunlight…365 days a year
The Lyfe Planter consists of a planter that hovers above an oak base via magnetic levitation. Designed to gently rotate during the suspension. This rotation especially benefits air plants, as nutrients are absorbed by their leaves through the air, rather than conventional root systems.
Lyfe & Air Plants
Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus identified air plants (tillandsia) as plants that grow in the air. These plants thrive upon the circulation of airborne particles; requiring no soil. This gravity-defying, rotating micro-climate naturally nurtures.
In Sweden, where winters are long and dark, there was a need to create a product that maximizes light and life, proud to be the centerpiece of a well designed home. The geodesic form reflects several different shade of light as it rotates, creating a mesmerizing effect.
Lyfe Planter Technical Breakdown
1. Lyfe Planter The 12-sided geodesic planter is molded from silicon, making it grippy and tactile. As it rotates in mid-air, different shades appear, providing a hypnotic and relaxing experience for your home of office. Watch your plant twirl in the air, and experience it from different angles.
2. Lyfe Magnet
This is where the magic happens. Our custom shaped LYFE magnet pushes up against an electromagnetic base, causing the planter to levitate in mid-air, lifting your LYFE to new dimensions.
3. Lyfe Reservoir
To mitigate against over-watering, a cleverly designed drainage system allows water to escape to a hidden, inner reservoir.
Base Dimensions: 153mm x 153mm x 38mm ( 6 inches x 6 inches x 1.5 inches )
Base Weight : 1.300 grams ( 45.8 ounces )
Pot Dimensions: 80 x 100 mm
Pot Weight: 240 grams ( 8.5 ounces )
AC Adapter: Input 100-240V – 50/60Hz; Output 15V 1A
STORY TIMEPIECE
Setting time free
The Story Timepiece is a levitating timepiece that travels through the air, allowing you to personalize your unique journeys.
Story Timepiece counts the minutes, hours, months and even years
The Story Timepiece is a levitating timepiece that orbits around a wooden base, counting the hours, minutes or even years. It is more than just a clock; it’s a unique way to visualize time. An intricate display of magnetic magic guides the chrome sphere while it moves around its orbit. Starting at the 12 o’clock position, the Story Timepiece will complete one full orbit at the interval of your choice.
Story is a metaphor of our planet revolving around the sun, reminding us that time is not just something that we keep hidden in our pockets, but a physical & shared experience.
Story Timepiece Special Features
LED Matrix
The Story Timepiece’s LED matrix display illuminates through the surface of the wood. The LED Matrix Display can be set to permanently OFF, ON or display through motion.
Backlit Display
For extended features, connect the Story Timepiece to the cloud for using their mobile app and illuminate real-time meteorological data thorough Story Timepiece’s back-lit display.
• Display Moon Phases
• Illuminate Sunrise / Sunset
• Display Temperature through color
• Additional custom features
The Invention Stories Podcast Episode 45…Simon Morris and Flyte Recap
Simon Morris was born the Bronx and raised just outside in Westchester, New York. He doesn’t consider himself a very good artist but does like to think outside the box. Simon believes that his creative mind has helped him survive by adapting to new environments having moved often as a kid.
Simon didn’t find school particularly motivating or interesting so he began to withdraw. He would often spend time the library focusing on his interests. Simon has always been fascinated by science, especially magnetism. He loves the invisible world that reminds him of the things that we don’t see, certain spectrum’s. Simon also loves art and enjoys combining the two. He uses Leonardo Da Vinci as an example of someone who successfully merged art and science. Flyte would become a testament to it, combining science, art, and poetry.
Living and Learning Abroad
Levitating Light Bulbs, Floating Planters, and more…
I finished the interview by asking Simon what advice would you give a person has an idea for an invention. He responded by saying “to do it. Not just to have the idea, but to actually do it. And to not be afraid of doing it wrong or what people think it’s wrong. Learning from mistakes is the greatest inventions that came out of humanity so…not giving up.”
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The Flyte Team
Flyte is a small team of creatives, engineers, designers and artists. Their background is in branding, communication and product design all happened to meet in Sweden. Their goal is to create inspiring and intelligent products with that absolutely WOW! Flyte creates these products and experiences that captivate the imagination by combining vintage design with innovative techniques.
Simon Morris
Founder / CEO
AKA “Magneto”
Simon plays with sound, energy and matter and their relationships with gravity to achieve the WOW affect. Projects such as Nike Air Max 1 Reinvented (a magnetically levitating Nike sneaker), Musique, Concrete (an interactive musical skateboard), and Invitation au Voyage (a magnetically hovering skateboard) are great examples of his achievements. In a short time, Simon has turned floating things in space into an art form. Simon is the inventor of Flyte.
Daniel Mascarenhas
Co-Founder / CMO
Daniel is a passionate individual that loves to create connected experiences by merging physical products with digital technology. Fast and dirty agile prototyping and testing an idea quickly for validation. Daniel has worked in the development of a number of products for big companies and has created award-winning work for self-initiated projects and small brands.
Chris Higham
Co-Founder / CPO
Professional product designer/cinematographer, Chris wants to be an astronaut when he grows up. Roaming in space is in his blood. Delving into the roots of the Higham’s family tree, you’ll find family member and famous astronomer Fritz Zwicky; renowned for his spectacular and insane theories like Gravitational Lenses, Supernova, and Dark Matter.
Alexander Rotkopf
Sales Manager
Creative multi-tasker with love for efficient solutions and innovation, Alexander believes in respect, honesty, and the power of humor. Having a background in Hospitality Management and Digital Business Development, Alexander is a service-minded tech enthusiast with focus on the “how” and the “what”. Impressed by the present, excited about the future and fascinated by the journey.
5 Flyte Lyte YouTube Links
10 Levitating Light Bulb Links
First of all…Inventions 2016: The Best of This Year | Time – Time Magazine
And…The Floating Light Bulb – Wikipedia
Also…Flyte: Levitating Light by Flyte — Kickstarter
Most of all…How Does The Flyte Levitating Lightbulb Float In The Air? | Gadget …
Another…Levitating Light Bulb – ThisIsWhyImBroke
Furthermore…Levitating lightbulb takes Flyte – New Atlas
Especially relevant…It’s No Hoverboard, But This Levitating Light Bulb Is Still a Neat Trick
Most noteworthy…This snazzy LED lamp uses magnetic levitation to hover above its …
Also…Levitating Light Bulb That Works Without Being Screwed In | Bored …
Finally…Wireless Flyte lightbulb LEVITATES and lasts up to 22 YEARS | Daily …
First of all…LYFE – Set your plants free by Flyte — Kickstarter
Another…LYFE Floating Planter by Flyte » Gadget Flow
Especially relevant…Lyfe Geodesic Floating Planter – Cool Hunting
Also…LYFE magnetic planter can ‘levitate’ plants in mid-air | Daily Mail Online
Finally…Lyfe from Flyte allows houseplants to hover in the air like drones.
5 Story Timepiece Links
First of all…STORY: The Levitating Timepiece by Flyte — Kickstarter
Also…STORY by flyte is a levitating timepiece that makes the hours float past
Another…How’d They Do It: Levitating Orb Clock | Hackaday
Most noteworthy…Modern and Minimalist Timepiece Tells Time with a … – My Modern Met
In conclusion…The Story Levitating Timepiece is mesmerizing with its iPhone …
I would like to thank Simon Morris for allowing me to interview him on the Invention Stories Podcast. I believe his inventing the Levitating Light Bulb and allowing us to share his story may inspire others. Our hope is someone reading this or listening to the Invention Stories Podcast Episode 45…our interview with Simon Morris and Flyte will leave believing anything is possible. Live your dream.
For more information please visit www.flyte.se
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