But Wait, There's More: Wawasee Grad Invents Pocket Grill
Posted
Daniel Riordan-driordan@timesuniononline.com
After spending time working for the Department of Defense, 1999 Wawasee graduate Benjamin Ashpole has shifted his focus in a drastically different direction.
The former engineering contractor is now the inventor of The Pocket Grill.
The invention works by being placed over an open fire and can fold up to fit inside a person’s backpack or pocket.
So how did Ashpole go from his job at the Department of Defense to creating inventions for everyday use?
After graduating from Wawasee, Ashpole attended Indiana University in Bloomington for his undergrad degree.
After moving to Philadelphia, Ashpole started grad school for computer science.
At that time he was fascinated with the idea of artificial intelligence and creating new high tech things.
As time progressed, he said, he wanted to shift his focus to things with a broader appeal and that could be used in everyday life.
Ashpole, an avid outdoorsman himself, began work on such projects.
“I spent almost three years designing the Pocket Grill to be the easiest way to cook meat, vegetables, and even dessert in the great outdoors,” said Ashpole.
The Pocket Grill has already been recognized with the QVC Consumer Innovation Award.
It was also selected by the Wharton Venture Initiation Program.
The entrepreneur and inventor splits his time between an office in the area as well as Philadelphia. He’s currently there to promote The Pocket Grill.
