Will the Etcher Shake Up Kickstarter?
By 
The Etch a Sketch rocketed to prominence this past March as Republican and Democratic pundits alike pounced on a Romney campaign spokesperson’s remark that mentioned the children’s toy.
While that moment may cross the minds of many who see the Etcher, an Etch a Sketch-styled case for the iPad whose creator is seeking funding to produce the project, what’s more surprising is that the Etcher isn’t the first product to tie the iPad to the popular toy from Ohio Art. We’ve previously reported about a case and an app that mimic the Etch a Sketch.
The Etcher brings both the look and the function of the Etch a Sketch to the iPad, which is something new. The Etcher sports knobs like the original to, and (of course) the Etcher erases the screen when the user shakes it.
Why go to all this trouble when you could just buy an original Etch a Sketch for $15? There is one big difference between the Etcher and its inspiration: permanence. Users who create art on their iPad can save it to the iPad’s camera roll and share it through social media.
The Etcher team even enlisted Pauline Graziano, a professional Etch a Sketch artist, to ensure their product offers a faithful recreation of the original. Etcher even got permission from trademark owner Ohio Art, in advance of production. These guys have thought of everything!
Early backers can still snag an Etcher in the traditional Ohio Red for just $45. For a pledge of $60 backers have the option of red or True Blue. It’s simply a coincidence that these two shades mimic the red and the blue used to note a state’s political leaning, but, fear not, Etcher isn’t limited to a two-party system. Those who want something completely different can pledge $75 for a chance to vote for the Special Edition color to be used in a limited run just for Kickstarter backers.
Interested? Be sure and pledge before the project period ends on June 9, 2012. Team Etcher needs to raise $75K to produce the Etcher. If they reach their goal Kickstarter backers can expect to receive their units by October 2012.
This post is part of our recurring PadGadget Kickstarter series. Find out how you can submit a Kickstarter project or get more info on this series by clicking here.
