PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

While I have over 30 years experience in the world of residential systems as a designer, installer and manufacturer, few remember the manufacturing companies which I co-founded. A former partner and I were the first in the USA to manufacture a computerized, networked, software-driven multi-room system for controlling home entertainment and lighting equipment (Home Tech, 1981). I am also the co-founder of Control Freaks ™(1992) which holds the license on some multi-room audio system technology.

I have extensive professional experience in lighting design, lighting controls, and other technology areas. Like most inventors I possess an uncanny grasp of the obvious – an otherwise rare trait.

I am seeking consulting in the area of product development for lighting, lighting control products and other areas of the high-end residential sphere. I honestly believe there are only a handful of people in the US with my unique experience, ranging from product development to manufacturing, specification, design and installation.

Career History:

1975 - 1980  Residential audio and controls system installer.

1980 - 1987 Founder HOME TECH, the first company in the US to manufacture a computerized home control system encompassing a processor, network and software.

1988 - 1994  Dealer-installer of mostly large residential lighting/AV projects which usually included lighting design and various lighting control systems. I have done some commercial lighting control projects also, usually conference rooms, retail and restaurants. Throughout my career I have designed, installed, specified sold and serviced dimming systems from: Architel, Lumitel, Prescolite, Leviton, Crestron, AMX, Vantage, QOR, Lutron and LiteTouch.

My finished projects have included a palace in Mexico City, estates in The Hamptons and the suburbs, apartments on Park Ave. and Fifth Ave, and many large NYC townhouses.

My work has been published in various journals including Architectural Digest and Interior Design.

1994 – 2000  Founder of Control Freaks™. Developed a multi-room audio product that ran LiteTouch Station Net and Lutron Station Net, allowing dealers to integrate audio into their lighting control jobs in a simple way and the manufacturer to be in the multi-room audio business without making custom wall stations.

2002 - Attempted to develop a group of dimmer patents owned by a company called “Minimal Magnetics” into a lighting control system concept. Worked on a business plan, product ideas, etc. Could not develop a consensus among the 3 patent holders. This could be revisited.

1987- Present: Lighting designer in private practice.

Present: I am in some discussions with several vendors about lighting fixture ideas.

Professional Memberships:

Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)

Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)

LiteTouch Certified Designer (LTCD)

Invent Vermont

Institute for Classical Architecture

***

I am open to looking at any product development project that might make use of my experience and inventive mind.

Edward E Jaffe, IES
Residential Controls Industry Pioneer

Back to Home