The Inventors was first produced by the Australian ABC network as a low-budget summer fill-in. It went on to become one of the most popular shows of the 70s and showcased hundreds of viable inventions.
Compere Geoff Stone was joined each week by panelists Diana Fisher (who looked at the inventions from a consumer’s perspective), marketing expert Vic Nicholson, and Leo Port (an affable and technical former consulting engineer who was also Lord Mayor of Sydney).
Over 60% of the inventions presented on the show made it into production. Probably the most popular was the pop-top can, which was the grand winner in 1973.
Leo Port died of a heart attack in August 1978. He was replaced on the show by Professor Neville Stephenson.
Geoff Stone defected to the Nine Network in 1980 to host the competing ‘inventors’ show, What’ll They Think Of Next? Vic Nicholson and Neville Stephenson went with him, as did long-time Inventors producer, Bev Gledhill.
Diana Fisher remained with the ABC and Stuart Wagstaff came onboard as the new host of The Inventors. Joining Diana on the new-look panel were advertising man Ross Quinlivan and Professor Neville Quarry, whose forte was architecture.
In 1981, the ABC announced it would axe the show.
Geoff Stone
Diana Fisher
Leo Port
Vic Nicholson
Professor Neville Stephenson
Stuart Wagstaff
Ross Quinlivan
Professor Neville Quarry
