In the weeks to come, the Salt Lake team will be pitted against the inventors of a convertible stiletto-heeled shoe; a gripper for carrying sheetrock; a hydration apparatus that can be stored in football shoulder pads; an "instant waterfall"; and an "instant" hair extender.

The six teams will eventually be narrowed by judges to three teams; the winners will be chosen, by popular vote, on Oct. 19.

"Our goal with this technology is to have the big manufacturers license the technology," says Marty, who is both an inventor and a local musician. "We've been in talks with the big labels and they're very interested.

On "Made in the USA," though, the Quad Zipper's very strength — the fact that it is more a technology than an end-product — may end up being its weakness, says Pace, who is a screenwriter and entrepreneur. He and Marty have no actual something someone can sell at this point, which may be a problem since the prize for winning the show is a one-year sales contract with the Home Shopping Network.

The first show will be aired five more times between now and next week. The second installment airs on USA Network at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, when Marty and Pace will compete with the other finalists by proving their inventiveness, collaboration and marketing skills.

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E-mail: jarvik@desnews.com