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LuAnne Burns

'79 BHS graduates launch a 'Twitter for your car'

By laurie napoleone

Kelly Chamberlain and Luanne Burns, 1979 graduates of Batavia High School, have patented a new product called the Speakbubble.

Chamberlain, a 21-year Navy veteran said, “I thought of the idea two years while driving on the highway, I saw magnets and bumper stickers on cars. I do not like bumper stickers because they are difficult to remove and thought about something that could be used to write a message, that could be changed daily or whenever the user wished.”

He further developed the idea and went to the patent office in 2013, completed the lengthy patent application process and was granted the patent for the Magnetic Speakbubble.

Chamberlain describes the Speakbubble as “a dry erase magnet that could be used in your home, office or as a Twitter for your car." It comes with a dry erase marker and allows you to create customized messages for not only the car, but for the refrigerator, lockers, office equipment, and anything magnetic.

After completion of the patent process, colleague LuAnne Burns designed the Web site for the product, which is www.myspeakbubble.com. The product is made in the United States, retails for $15.99 and is not currently available in stores.

Chamberlain and Burns are offering a 20-percent discount on their product for Genesee County residents by using the Promo code “WNY” when ordering on the Web site. In addition, the Speakbubble can be used as a fundraiser or a promotional product for organizations, sports teams, or businesses.

Photo: Kelly Chamberlain and LuAnne Burns.

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