Helenrae carry-on bags.

• Author: Peterson, Eric
• Position: Colorado cool STUFF

Consulting for the past decade--the last eight years as a staffer of database giant Oracle--Kate Coughlin has earned countless frequent-flyer miles and "spent thousands and thousands of dollars on carry-ons."

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The problem: "They never worked."

So Coughlin started coming up with her own design in 2002, and in 2005 she unveiled the HelenRae Carry-on Bag, with such patent-pending features as removable shelves, a plastic-lined toiletries pocket, and a padded laptop pouch.

"You don't pull this bag," said Coughlin of the unique wheeled design. "It glides right next to you. You can push it...