Local Entrepreneur Creates ‘Lucky Raptor Foot’
By Matt O'Hern // October 25, 2013
A prehistoric, yet modern, take on the Lucky Rabbit Foot
ABOVE VIDEO: Stacy Trenary of Viera tells SpaceCoastDaily.com about his creation, the “Lucky Raptor Foot.”
BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA FLORIDA — Stacy Trenary of Viera is putting a pre-historic twist on a classic keychain.
Earlier this week, the 32-year old anthropologist introduced his “lucky raptor foot”on kickstarter.com. Trenary claims his inspiration came from his desire to help educate the public about what raptors are really like, as opposed to what is presented in movies and television. Information on the back of the product’s packaging that gives some modern information about raptors. It reads as follows:
“Raptors (or Dromaeosaurs) are famous for their retractable claws on the second toe of each foot, which are thought to be used as slashing weapons. They came in sizes like the 8-foot tall Utahraptor, to smaller forms like the turkey-sized Velociraptor. Raptors weren’t scaly, but were in fact covered with feathers, with some sporting wings and the ability to glide! Though there were many species, raptors would eventually become extinct at the end of the Cretaceous Period around 66 million years ago, leaving only their closest relatives as the last dinosaurs: the birds!”
HOW IT’S MADE
I’m looking to develop the keychain out of a soft PVC material. This medium will keep the shape of the raptor foot, while also making it soft enough should someone want to put it in their pocket. The foot itself will be 2″ long, 1″ wide, and .77″ deep, and outfitted with a 1″ long carabiner.
Should someone be so fashionable as to want to wear their new dinosaur foot, a 20″ long leather cord with a lobster claw clasp is also included. The artwork is done by myself, and colored by an artist friend of mine. Anyone who says that “raptors with feathers aren’t scary,” clearly has not seen this illustration! It’s kind of like saying “lions with fur aren’t intimidating,” but I digress.
I want to give scientific institutions the first crack at carrying these keychains in their gift shops (museums, zoos, science centers, etc), with the big chains to follow afterwards. I’m hoping to coincide the first sales of the Lucky Raptor Foot keychain in big box stores with the release of the fourth Jurassic Park film (Jurassic World) to be in theaters sometime in 2015.
Not only would this be very profitable, but it will also help combat the fantasy of movies with the facts of science, as the director of the fourth installment of the franchise has already stated that there will be no feathers added to their raptors, despite the proven evidence. A big shame if you ask me, as kids and adults alike will continue to have the myth of the naked, featherless raptor established in their heads.
So far I have the prototype for the keychain, as well as the web domain, prototype artwork (final look pending), the educational information, and the logo. The main chunk of the money received will go to the initial lot of keychains made, as well as the master mold. Other costs will go to secure additional copyrights, mailing supplies, etc.
A factory has been secured and the initial delivery of the first batch will be made right here in my home.In addition to the Lucky Raptor Foot keychain, you’ll also get the opportunity to pledge for REAL fossils, most of which I’ve personally excavated (a few by fellow diggers as well on the same excavations). What better way to celebrate the arrival of your new Lucky Raptor Foot keychain than to receive a real prehistoric fossil with it!
