Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 460,503 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,240 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,097 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,240 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,097 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,210 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 460,503 cutting edge ideas.

Germ-Thwarting Keys

The 'Touch Stick' is the Weapon of Choice for H1N1

— November 11, 2009 — Lifestyle
Since the H1N1 flu virus has spread to all ends of the World, people are understandably more conscious of germs, hence a new product called the 'Touch Stick.'  We know that flu germs survive on surfaces for hours and can be transmitted to the next person who touches the same surface.  For this reason, I have a bottle of Purell in my car, purse, and desk at work.  Anytime I touch a suspect object, like the copy machine, ATM, or elevator, I squirt a dollop of Purell on my hands and rub it in to uncontaminated myself.  My Co-workers affectionately call me their Purell Girl.  A few teasingly call me a Germaphobe, which is probably closer to the truth.

So, when I ran across this product, the Touch Stick, I knew I had to have one.  The Touch Stick is a neat plastic device shaped like a key that can be attached to a key chain. The Touch Stick was designed with the purpose of pushing germ-infested buttons, so the surface is flat. For other surfaces, like for tapping electronic buttons, or for signing, the Touch Stick has a pointed stylus like tip.  The Touch Stick comes in 5 different colors and are sold for $2.99 each or $10.00 for a bundle of five.

I had to laugh when I read the comment made by the writer Julie at the Gadgeteer, where I spotted the Touch Stick, “I would rather just use my fingers and then lick them, because I’m tough.” 

The Touch Stick does come with the following disheartening disclaimer: “Note: not guaranteed to protect against transmission of or infection from germs or any other harmful substance,” so I may just stick with a product featured last year on Trendhunter that does, the Handler, which I have included in the related trends, if you want to take a click.
Trend Themes
1. Germ-conscious Products - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop more effective germ-resistant products that provide peace of mind to consumers.
2. Keychain Gadgets - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create multifunctional keychain gadgets that serve as practical tools while also addressing specific consumer needs, such as germ protection.
3. Contactless Solutions - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore contactless solutions for commonly touched surfaces to minimize the spread of germs and enhance personal hygiene practices.
Industry Implications
1. Consumer Goods - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce innovative germ-resistant products and keychain gadgets to meet the growing demand for personal hygiene and germ protection.
2. Healthcare - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop contactless solutions for healthcare facilities and medical equipment to prevent germ transmission and enhance infection control measures.
3. E-commerce - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Offer a wide range of germ-conscious products through online platforms, providing convenience and choice for consumers seeking personal hygiene solutions.
2.8
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness