Las Vegas, NV (June 10, 2002) Toymaker Rick Hartman joins Second City comic Jason Sudeikis and legendary innovator Dean Kamen for tonight's world premier of "Invention Showdown," a new program about invention, innovation and creativity produced by The Discovery Channel.

Filmed principally at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas,"Invention Showdown" spotlights several of Hartman's popular creations including the Motorized Ice Cream Cone, Pro Thumb Wrestling, Crazy Cords Friendship Bracelet Factory and Hoop-2-Hoop whirling basketball toy.

Beyond promoting his playful products, however, Hartman uses the prime time platform to do what he does best--inspire creativity in young people and encourage them to think innovatively.

"Inventions don't have to be fantastically complicated," he tells viewers while demonstrating a prototype for his patented Motorized Ice Cream Cone. "Sometimes all you have to do is put a new twist on an old invention."

When asked how children respond to his mechanized ice cream twirling machine, Hartman replies: "They're amazed. It's almost as if they're seeing one of the Seven Wonders of the World. You know, we've got the Sphinx, the Pyramids, the Grand Canyon...and The Motorized Ice Cream Cone! It's actually a great way to teach kids about invention and creativity!"

The show is hosted by Sudeikis, a member of the Second City comedy theater who handles his role as moderator with aplomb.

Other featured inventors include Kamen, creator of the Segway Human Transport Vehicle, and Mike Dennis, developer of a life-saving helmet insert for soldiers, industrial workers and athletes. Kamen, one of the most successful innovators of our day, offers some sobering words of advice for would-be Thomas Edisons dreaming of striking it rich quick: "Success to me is about long-term, consistent hard work." Kamen says. "Find something that you like to do and then stick to it. I don't know any other way."

While sprinkled with serious reminders like this about the challenges facing inventors and the important implications of their creations, "Invention Showdown" is not without its lighter moments. Early in the hour-long program, Hartman is caught backstage having powder applied to his face by a professional make-up artist. "I'm in a state of awe," he says with a smile. "I've gone from a school teacher, to a toy inventor, and now I'm a MOVIE STAR! I kinda like this job!"

When asked how the toymaker looks, Hartman's brother, Roger, replies without skipping a beat: "Much better than usual!"

"Invention Showdown" is the brainchild of Jonathan Stack, an Academy Award-nominated filmaker, and Byron Donzis, an accomplished inventor with more than 200 patents to his credit. The show is produced by The Discovery Channel as an "airing pilot," which means if ratings are high enough, more episodes will follow.

"Invention Showdown" airs tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern Time and again on Saturday June 15, at 4 p.m..