First ascent: Crux of the project

Inspiration for the shape

With the early prototypes in hand, I began tackling what turned out to be the most difficult challenge: keeping the door hangers securely attached to the door frame. I tried everything—magnets, clips, ropes—but nothing was elegant or efficient. Every solution felt like a compromise, and none worked well enough to move forward.

 

Frustration set in, and I decided to shelve the project for a while. Sometimes, stepping away is the only way to see the path clearly. I needed inspiration, and I’ve learned that it often strikes when I’m not actively searching for it.

 

A Spark of Inspiration

That moment came unexpectedly during one of my kids’ orchestra recitals. Both of them, Natalie and Zach, played in the orchestra for much of middle and high school. Natalie played the viola, and as I watched her perform, my eyes caught the scroll at the top of her instrument.


The scroll had a beautiful, continuously tightening radius—a shape that suddenly clicked in my mind as the answer. What if I could design something similar that wrapped securely around a door frame? It was simple, yet elegant—a shape designed to grip without slipping. That was the breakthrough I had been waiting for.

 

Back to the Lab

With renewed energy, I returned to my garage and started experimenting. Using 3D printing, I created new shapes inspired by the violin scroll. One design after another, I iterated tirelessly, molding plastic and refining the concept.

 

Each version got closer to what I envisioned. The earlier models were promising but inconsistent. Then, finally, after countless tweaks, I landed on a shape that worked reliably. It gripped the door frame securely and was compact enough to travel with. I knew I had something real.

This was the crux of the project—the point where many would have turned back. But like on any climb, persistence made all the difference. The solution wasn’t obvious at first, but when it came, it unlocked the route forward.