Field Testing Success: Dusty Gulick’s Retractable Lighting System Shines in Real-World Installation
We’re thrilled to share an exciting milestone in the development journey of a truly innovative client project: Dusty Gulick’s retractable outdoor lighting system has been successfully installed at a friend’s home—and it looks absolutely fantastic! This success marks another proud achievement for Invention City, where great ideas come to life through professional invention prototyping and real-world testing. Follow Dusty’s journey at his website.
From Concept to Reality
At Invention City, we work with inventors who solve real problems, and Dusty’s story is a shining example of how invention prototyping can turn frustration into innovation.
As a landscape professional with over 25 years of experience, Dusty has heard the same homeowner complaint countless times: they love the aesthetics of path lighting, but hate the constant damage from mowing, string trimming, and foot traffic. Add to that the irrigation challenges—where stationary lights block spray patterns—and you have a problem begging for a smarter solution.
Enter the retractable lighting system—a patented design that combines functionality, beauty, and resilience.
The Innovation: A Smarter Kind of Light
Working alongside his father, Robert Gulick, who brings electrical and electronic engineering expertise, Dusty set out to design a lighting system that would be:
Stylish and durable
Easy to install on 2-wire systems
Compatible with existing landscape lighting
A direct replacement for traditional fixtures
At the heart of this system is a retractable mechanism that keeps lights safe when not in use, automatically lowering them below ground level to prevent damage. A custom control module integrates with existing transformers for simple plug-and-play installation. For new systems, the module can serve as a stand-alone controller, and a Wi-Fi-enabled version with app control is currently in development—bringing smart technology to landscape lighting like never before.
Our Role: Expert Invention Prototyping
When Dusty and Robert proved their concept, they turned to Invention City to refine and manufacture their first professional prototypes. Our invention prototyping services helped transform their early proof-of-concept into a fully functional product ready for real-world testing.
From 3D rendering and component design to prototype fabrication and field validation, we supported every stage of the process. The second prototype exceeded expectations—withstanding heat, rain, irrigation, and heavy foot traffic without failure.
This level of durability and performance is exactly what great invention prototyping is all about: testing ideas until they’re ready to shine in the real world.
The Latest: Field Testing Underway
The first batch of professionally manufactured lights arrived on September 26, 2025, and Dusty wasted no time installing them at a friend’s home. The system looks stunning—flush and invisible by day, and beautifully illuminated by night. This first field installation marks the beginning of the real-world validation phase. Each test helps fine-tune the product’s design, ease of use, and reliability. Early results? Exceptional performance and rave reviews.
What’s Next
Invention City looks forward to continuing to work with Dusty and Robert as they expand field testing and prepare the product for commercial launch. Their journey—from identifying a recurring landscaping problem to creating a patented lighting solution—is the essence of innovation. We’re proud to have helped turn their idea into reality through expert invention prototyping, and we can’t wait to see these retractable lights illuminating landscapes across the country.
About Invention City
Invention City helps inventors transform ideas into market-ready products through every stage of the journey: concept development, invention prototyping, design refinement, and manufacturing support. If you’re ready to bring your invention to life, we’d love to hear from you.
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