SAN FRANCISCO,  Rescue Reel, Inc., which produces a life-saving device that enables people to escape endangered buildings up to 100 stories tall, was named one of the best inventions of 2009 in Popular Science's Inventions of the Year issue.

Now in its third year, the award is given to recognize inventions that make a difference. Popular Science Inventions of the Year Issue Editor Doug Cantor said, "We look for inventions that will someday change the world -- game-changing products that come from the passionate drive of independent inventors that solve real-world problems in a practical way." The award also recognizes the work of "standout inventors whose creativity and hard work are making our lives better," the magazine wrote in its June issue.

Developed over the past few years, the Rescue Reel device is the brainchild of Dr. Kevin Stone, a prominent San Francisco-based orthopedic surgeon and founder of the respected Stone Clinic. The device stores up to 1,000 feet of cord, and in the event of an emergency, allows potential victims to secure and safely lower themselves to the ground in less than a minute. Rescue Reel is simple enough for a child to operate and permits evacuation of a 30 to 400 pound disabled or non-disabled person using its self-adjusting braking system to lower people at a rate of six feet per second.

Dr. Stone, who was inspired to invent the device by the images of people jumping to their deaths from the World Trade Center towers on 9/11, said, "While terrorism is a constant threat to high-rise buildings, the more likely threat is from fire and earthquakes. Rescue Reel is a sensible answer to getting trapped people out of office buildings and high-rise apartments."

"We hope that this recognition from Popular Science Magazine will make people aware that they can protect themselves in life-threatening situations," he added.

Rescue Reel was successfully tested in January by the Vallejo, CA, fire department. The Vallejo Fire Department was interested in testing Rescue Reel as a consequence of a fatal fire, last August, at the high-rise Casa De Vallejo senior residence, which killed three people on the upper floors, Vallejo Fire Chief Russ Sherman said.

"We are interested in any state-of-the-art devices that come along to aid us with high-angle rescues," Sherman said. "This wouldn't put firefighters at risk." A video of the Vallejo test is available on the Rescue Reel website, . http://www.rescuereel.com

Rescue Reel, Inc. is now accepting fully-refundable deposits for the $1,500 device on its website at http://www.rescuereel.com

ABOUT RESCUE REEL

A life-saving device, invented by Dr. Kevin Stone, San Francisco, Rescue Reel is a lightweight and simple-to-use device, which enables a person to escape safely through the window of an endangered building, using a harness attached to the window or a door and lowering themselves to the ground for as much as 1,000 feet or 100 stories. It proved itself in tests conducted by the Fire Department of Vallejo, CA, in January. Popular Science magazine chose Rescue Reel as one of the "Best Inventions of 2009." For more information, see the Rescue Reel web site at http://www.rescuereel.com