If it weren't for China we wouldn't have ecigs. I don't consider variations of metal tubes "innovation."
Your stuck on the metal tubes aren't innovation thing aren't you?
Metal tubes have been a part of innovation for longer than most of us have been alive and will continue to be a part of innovative design till we are long gone.
Lets take for example the often talked about voltage drop between mods, they all pretty much have differing values when tested against one another under similar circumstances. This is a function of the design of the switch, the machining quality, the metal composition, and any number of other factors. Predominantly the design is responsible for better or worse voltage drop values.
You may consider this less than innovative, while I'm not sure how a design that produces better (lower) voltage drop can not be innovative I'll carry on.
The roller switch is said to have a very smooth action, that's great for people who lack dexterity to make fickle switches work with any sort of smoothness. The switch is to my understanding highly effective in this aspect of its functionality, innovative if you will.
Similarly innovative is the use of laminated metals, both for artistic reasons and for conductivity. While the use of laminated metals is not entirely new it is innovative in this field of design.
Some mods have incorporated bold shapes to the tube section, some shapes help with the ergonomics some hinder the users ability to manage the mod. These design considerations can be said to be innovative as well when they increase the ease of use of a mod.
A pattern of cutouts on the tube may act to aid in the users ability to maintain grip on the mod, Provari is notable in this regard. Cutout designs will differ as will their comfort and functionality, leading to innovative designs. Some will incorporate logos to enhance the beauty of the device.
There exists many types of threading methods, any of which can effect several factors of performance and functionality of the device. Fine threading may increase contact area between parts, coarse threading may be more resilient to impact and less easy to cross threading and double helix threading may well increase assemble and disassemble speed and should decrease the torque required to loosen an assembly. Innovative in this field, I'd say there is plenty of room to improve so yes.
The design of a mod always calls for certain metals so as to perform as designed, one may utilize metal qualities to increase damage resistance or lighten the load of a person interested in carrying the least amount of weight on a long hike, all innovative uses of metal in this application.
Innovative use of coatings and plating have resulted in durability and functionality improvements, ZEN has the durability coating and many have used silver plating in their designs to improve conductivity, there is always room for improvements, so innovation will continue.
You see, innovation comes sometimes in very small steps, other times it comes in huge leaps and bounds. Innovation is linked to a particular function, innovation can be the use of a new material to accomplish a task in a way it was not accomplished in the past, or simply the treatment an older material receives that alters its performance, at times it could be simply a shape that impacts functionality.
Creativity, innovation, and resourcefulness, are all intertwined; any novel use of materials that serves a function can be considered innovative. Look at all of the interesting coil designs, some adapted from tube coils in other industries, others fully unique to the ecig world.
If all you see is a tube, a switch, and an end cap, you aren't seeing the many innovations this market is developing as it matures.
Maurice
