Doug Katz and Gordon Downey: The Tony Stark of Adaptive Products
From Beers with Engineers by Bert Uschold
February 2, 2026 · 1h 4m · Episode 56
About this episode
Doug Katz and Gordon Downey discuss their innovative Nulu knife designed for people with mobility and vision impairments.
#56 – Doug Katz and Gordon Downey: The Tony Stark of Adaptive Products Merchandise - www.beerswithengineers.shop Nulu Knives: https://nuluknives.com/ BWENULU2026 to save on a Nulu knife Doug Katz – wouldn’t name children Alley or Tom Gordon Downey considered April Fresh and Summer Breeze for his twins Doug went to West Point Gordon is an industrial designer but started studying advertising Was also a commercial photographer. Industrial designers need to know a bit about engineering BUT Engineers need to know a bit about industrial design. Their Nulu knife is based on the ulu knife used by eskimos. Part of the motivation to make the knife was Doug’s shoulder problems. It also works with people with mobility problems and vision impairment. The Nulu requires macro body movement more than micro body movement. Knife technique is very important to chefs. Grip strength is a good indicator of life expectancy. Looking to get into markets where people use knives all day long to prevent repetitive stress injuries. One challenge is it is tough to sharpen. Gordon plays guitar. Doug is a failed musician. Steve Zhan would play Gordon movie. Robert Downey, Jr would play Doug, who wants to be the…
People in this episode
Host: Bert Uschold
Guests: Doug Katz, Gordon Downey
Topics covered
- adaptive products
- industrial design
- knife technology
- mobility assistance
- entrepreneurship
Keywords
- adaptive products
- Nulu knife
- industrial design
- mobility problems
- chefs
- repetitive stress injuries
Sponsors
Nulu Knives
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Nulu Knives, Dexterity Engineering
Books & works: Rampage
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