Local inventors are going live with their online campaign to fund production of a device designed to cool beverages in seconds.
Trevor Abbott, a UF mechanical engineering senior, and Ty Parker, a UF mechanical engineering alumnus, designed Spin Chill, a cylinder that uses a drill to spin a can of beer or soda in ice and cools it within 30 to 60 seconds.
Abbott and Parker came up with the idea for Spin Chill while they were participants in the HackerHouse program for entrepreneurs. Abbott said eight cadets lived in a house downtown for three months to plan their inventions.
After finding a warm case of beer in an RV, they decided to create something that would make the beer cold. Abbott said after spending hours in Walmart, he and Parker found a Black & Decker drill, ripped it apart and threw together their new invention.
Abbott said the 30-day Kickstarter campaign has a goal to raise $10,000. If Abbott and Parker do not reach their goal, they will not receive any of the pledges.
The two inventors have been spreading the word about Spin Chill and their campaign by visiting gameday tailgates and posting on social media.
Reed White, a 22-year-old UF mechanical engineering senior, said he was impressed with Spin Chill’s concept.
“I think it’s a great idea, and I’m excited to see what will come from it,” he said.
A version of this story ran on page 5 on 9/18/2013 under the headline "Locals try to kickstart super-fast beverage cooler"
