Dad's dream, design land son on TV show, The Hickory Daily 6/11/2007 Neighboring Notable Dad's dream, design land son on TV show By Kim Gilliland Record Staff Writer Click here to read the article! A father's dream coupled with a son's determination may have construction workers using a redesigned garden hoe to mix mortar: John Murtagh designed a tool with angled sides and holes to channel mortar when mixing. Murtagh died before his invention made it onto store shelves.  His son, Bill, a furniture engineer from northeast Hickory, kept his dream alive. "This is really my way of thanking him for the father he's been to me by getting this invention in the stores," the younger Murtagh said. John Murtagh, a retired Army master sergeant and Vietnam veteran, may have been the sharpest tool in the family shed.  He developed the idea, worked up drawings and developed a prototype from his home in Charlotte.  He received a patent in 2002. "My dad taught me everything I know," Bill said.  "He knew a lot of different trades." Two years later, the TV network PBS held auditions for the show, "Everyday Edisons."  The show documents the development of 14 inventions and the people behind them. The show's producers liked the story and shot footage from Bill's home. Bill says he doesn't think about the money that could be made.  He simply wants others to see the vision his father saw. "I had my doubts it would work, he had been turned down so many times," said Mary Murtagh, John's widow.  "Now, it seems John's dream will come true. All he wanted was to make his kids happy.  I'm real excited about it." The father-and-son story is being featured on the series, currently airing on WTVI Channel 42. ON THE NET: www.everydayedisons.com