An Inventor Who Rebuilt From His Car

David Petite grew up in a hardscrabble household, which taught him self-sufficiency early. A member of the Chippewa tribe, he is the son of a tribal chief in Wisconsin, and he was raised in Atlanta. His first invention, as a child, was a leaf blower he made from a hair dryer, which he later sold to Wal-Mart.

His first research and development company failed because it lacked resources. CNN Money describes him losing the fight to keep a roof over his head and ending up living in his car, a point the article calls rock bottom. It gives no dates or ages for that period.

He committed to bettering his life, and an angel investor, seeing someone with the will to succeed, financed him. He went on to develop communications technology for assisted living facilities and for meter manufacturers. CNN reports that his innovations earned him 50 patents worldwide, while another profile counts more than 35 U.S. patents in energy conservation and communications. He is best known for work on wireless mesh technology, which has led to the Smart Grid.

He has said that he learned to see failures as great lessons. His advice is to look in the mirror and say you are going to make a difference for the people around you, and you will be rewarded.

Petite now helps others find their way. He founded the Native American Inventors Association and the Independent Native American Intellectual Property Council, a nonprofit that helps Native American inventors through the patent process and into commercialisation. He also visits schools, usually in low-income areas of the Southwest, to inspire younger students.