Who Created the PopSocket? The Origin Story of David Barnett's Invention

David Barnett, a former philosophy professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, created the PopSocket in 2010. Originally designed as a simple DIY hack using glued buttons to keep earbud cords from tangling, Barnett refined the concept into a collapsible accordion grip, secured patents, and launched the commercial product via Kickstarter in 2012.

Who Is David Barnett? The Academic Turned Inventor

Before becoming a household name in consumer technology accessories, David Barnett spent his days analyzing abstract logic, epistemology, and the philosophy of language. Holding a Ph.D. in philosophy from New York University, Barnett accepted a teaching position at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2005. He had no formal training in mechanical engineering, industrial design, or corporate management.

Barnett’s academic background played an unexpected role in his success as an inventor. Philosophy relies heavily on identifying inefficiencies, questioning assumptions, and systematically solving conceptual problems. When faced with an everyday physical nuisance—tangled headphone wires—Barnett approached the issue with the same analytical persistence he brought to academic research.

Rather than waiting for an established accessory manufacturer to release a practical cord-management tool, Barnett began experimenting in his garage. His journey from an academic office to running a global accessory brand demonstrates how simple, functional problem-solving can disrupt consumer markets without a background in traditional manufacturing.

The Origin Story: How an Annoyance Sparked a Multi-Million Dollar Idea

The idea for the PopSocket emerged in 2010 during the era of the iPhone 3G. Like millions of early smartphone users, Barnett carried wired earbuds everywhere. Every time he pulled his phone out of his pocket, the earbud cable had twisted into an infuriating knot.

Determined to find a permanent solution, Barnett went to a local craft store in Boulder, Colorado. He bought a pair of large, decorative clothing buttons, positioned them on the back of his iPhone case, and secured them using heavy-duty blue athletic tape and epoxy resin. By wrapping his earbud cord around the two raised buttons, he prevented the wire from tangling in his pocket.

• [Phone Case]
  
  
  • (Glued Button 1)
  • (Glued Button 2)
    
    
    • [Wrapped Cord]

While the original DIY prototype solved the cord issue, it was visually unappealing and structurally awkward. Friends, colleagues, and students frequently mocked the bulky buttons protruding from his phone. However, as Barnett used the modified case daily, he noticed two unexpected secondary benefits:

1. Enhanced Ergonomic Grip: Placing his fingers around the raised buttons provided a secure anchor, making it far less likely that he would drop the device while texting or browsing.
2. Built-in Media Stand: Resting the phone sideways on the extended buttons propped the screen up at an ideal angle for viewing photos and video clips.

Realizing that the true value of the concept extended far beyond cable management, Barnett decided to develop a refined, commercially viable product.

Engineering the Design: From Buttons to the Accordion Grip

The primary engineering challenge Barnett faced was portability. A permanent, rigid protrusion on the back of a smartphone made slipping the device into a tight pocket nearly impossible. To make the accessory practical for mass adoption, the grip needed to expand when in use and collapse flat when stored.

Barnett spent months sketching designs and testing materials. He eventually landed on an accordion-style structure—a flexible, conical pop-up mechanism made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polycarbonate.

• Collapsed State (Flat)
  
  
  • [ Top Disc ]
  • [ Low-Profile Base]
• Expanded State (Popped Out)
  
  
  • [ Top Disc ]
  • Accordion Flex-Cone
  • [ Low-Profile Base]

The design relied on a bistable mechanism, allowing the flexible cone to lock securely into two distinct positions:

• Collapsed: Sitting just millimeters off the phone case so it slides smoothly into pockets.
• Extended: Popping outward in two stages to create space for fingers to rest or cable wire to wrap around the stem.

To protect his invention, Barnett filed for intellectual property protection. On October 15, 2013, the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted him U.S. Patent 8,560,031 B2, titled "Expanding stand for handheld electronic device." The patent covered the specific combination of a collapsible accordion structure mounted to a portable device base via a repositionable adhesive.

The 2012 Kickstarter Campaign and Early Obstacles

In 2012, Barnett turned to the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter to validate market demand and secure the funding needed for injection molding tooling. He set a modest fundraising goal of $12,000.

The crowdfunding campaign almost failed before it could finish due to a severe personal crisis. In June 2012, while the Kickstarter campaign was live, the destructive High Park wildfire swept through Larimer and Boulder counties in Colorado. Barnett’s home burned to the ground, destroying his personal possessions and early physical prototypes.

Despite losing his home, Barnett pressed forward with the campaign. Supporters rallied around the project, and the campaign closed successfully, raising $18,591 from 520 backers.

With initial capital secured, Barnett faced significant manufacturing hurdles. The early production runs suffered from quality control issues:

• Adhesive Failures: Early adhesive pads left sticky residue on phones or failed to adhere to textured plastic surfaces. Barnett collaborated with adhesive chemists to adopt a reusable, washable polyurethane gel compound (often referred to as the PopSockets GelPad).
• Material Fatigue: Early plastic formulations cracked after repeated popping cycles, forcing a switch to higher-grade elastomeric compounds.

Commercialization and Global Expansion

PopSockets LLC officially launched its direct-to-consumer e-commerce site in 2014 out of Barnett’s garage in Boulder. For the first two years, growth was steady but modest. Barnett continued teaching at the university while personally managing order fulfillment, customer service, and supplier logistics.

The major turning point occurred between 2016 and 2017 when the product went viral on social media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube. Teenagers and young adults embraced the accessory not only for its utility, but as a medium for self-expression through custom printed top discs.

• 2010: DIY Button Prototype
  
  
  • 2012: Successful Kickstarter Campaign
    
    
    • 2014: E-Commerce Launch out of Garage
      
      
      • 2017: Global Retail Explosion & 35M+ Units Sold
        
        
        • 2020s: Ecosystem Expansion (MagSafe, PlantGrip)

Celebrity adoption provided massive organic exposure. High-profile figures including Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Serena Williams, and Jared Leto were repeatedly photographed by paparazzi using PopSockets on their personal phones.

Retail distribution expanded exponentially. PopSockets moved from direct website sales into global retail chains, including Target, Best Buy, Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, AT&T, and Verizon stores worldwide. By late 2017, PopSockets LLC had sold over 35 million units, growing its annual revenue into hundreds of millions of dollars and earning the top spot on Inc. Magazine's list of fastest-growing private companies.

Evolution of the PopSocket Ecosystem

As smartphone technology evolved, PopSockets altered its product line to maintain compatibility with new hardware features, such as glass-backed phones, wireless charging, and magnetic attachment arrays.

Technical Challenges: Wireless Charging and MagSafe

One of the biggest operational hurdles for PopSockets occurred with the mass adoption of Qi wireless charging in smartphones starting around 2017. Because the original PopGrip added roughly 7 millimeters of thickness to the back of a phone—and contained an adhesive layer—it obstructed the inductive transfer of power between Qi charging pads and the phone's internal receiver coil.

PopSockets engineered two sequential technical solutions to maintain relevance in a wireless-first charging environment:

1. The Swappable PopTop System (2018)

Barnett’s engineering team redesigned the top decorative disc and accordion joint. By pressing the top down flat and twisting it 90 degrees, users could detach the top disc entirely. Removing the top reduced the overall distance between the phone and the wireless charging pad, allowing Qi charging signals to pass through the thin baseplate without overheating.

2. MagSafe Integration (2021)

When Apple introduced MagSafe magnetic attachment arrays with the iPhone 12 series, traditional adhesive mounts faced obsolescence among iPhone users. PopSockets responded by developing the PopGrip for MagSafe.

Instead of relying on re-usable gel adhesive, the MagSafe variant utilizes a precise array of N52 neodymium magnets aligned to match Apple's internal magnet layout. This design provides strong lateral magnetic shear strength (preventing the phone from slipping off the grip) while enabling users to instantly slide the grip off whenever they want to place the phone flat on a MagSafe charger or magnetic car mount.

Intellectual Property Protection and Counterfeits

Because the physical design of a PopSocket is simple to copy, PopSockets LLC faced an overwhelming influx of counterfeit products and knockoffs from foreign manufacturers on online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Wish.

To defend his creation, Barnett built an internal legal and IP enforcement team. The company registered hundreds of utility and design patents globally, alongside trademarking the terms "PopSockets" and "PopGrip."

PopSockets took unprecedented steps to combat patent infringement:

• International Trade Commission (ITC) Filings: In 2018, PopSockets filed a complaint under Section 337 with the U.S. ITC to block the importation of unlicensed expanding phone grips that infringed on U.S. Patent 8,560,031. The ITC issued a General Exclusion Order, allowing U.S. Customs and Border Protection to seize infringing import shipments at ports of entry.
• Amazon Transparency Program: PopSockets was an early adopter of unit-level serialization programs, applying unique 2D barcode labels to product packaging to ensure only verified, authentic units were fulfilled through third-party e-commerce platforms.

Social Impact: The Popsivism Program

As PopSockets scaled into a multi-million-dollar enterprise, David Barnett integrated corporate philanthropy directly into the business model through a program named Popsivism.

Launched in 2018, the Popsivism platform allows customers to purchase or design custom PopGrips that support specific non-profit organizations. A fixed dollar amount or percentage of every sale is donated directly to cause partners.

Since its inception, the program has donated millions of dollars to hundreds of global charities, including:

• The ALS Association
• Mindful Life Program
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
• Equal Justice Initiative
• Habitat for Humanity

Barnett, drawing on his background in ethics, has advocated for corporate responsibility, prioritizing sustainable manufacturing processes, bio-based materials (such as PlantGrip lines made from castor beans and cornstarch), and zero-waste packaging initiatives across the brand's global supply chain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did David Barnett invent the PopSocket?

David Barnett originally invented the PopSocket in 2010 to solve a simple, personal annoyance: his earbud cables constantly tangled in his pocket. He glued two buttons to the back of his iPhone case to wrap the cord around. In doing so, he realized the buttons also provided an ergonomic phone grip and a convenient kickstand.

What was the first PopSocket prototype made from?

The very first prototype consisted of two large clothing buttons glued to the back of an iPhone 3G case using blue athletic tape and epoxy resin. Barnett later replaced the buttons with a collapsible plastic accordion structure to allow the grip to store flat when not in use.

When did PopSockets become popular globally?

PopSockets began gaining widespread traction in 2016, reaching global popularity between 2017 and 2018. This surge was driven by social media platforms, custom design options, and organic adoption by high-profile celebrities like Gigi Hadid, Serena Williams, and Kendall Jenner.

Does a PopSocket work on all phone cases?

PopSockets adhere well to smooth, hard plastic, polycarbonate, and acrylic cases. However, the standard adhesive gel does not bond reliably to textured silicone, soft TPU, heavily textured leather, or waterproof fabric cases. For glass-backed phones without a case, PopSockets supplies a clear adhesive adapter film. Alternatively, users can choose MagSafe-compatible models that snap onto magnetic cases without adhesive.

How do you clean a dirty PopSocket adhesive base?

If the re-usable gel base loses its stickiness due to dust, lint, or debris, wash the adhesive disc gently under cold water and let it air dry for 10 to 15 minutes. Do not leave it exposed to air for more than 15 minutes, as the gel will dry out completely. Once clean and lightly dried, press it firmly back onto a smooth case surface to restore its bond.

Next Actions: Choosing the Right Phone Grip Solution

If you are evaluating smartphone grips or accessories for your device, consider these practical selection guidelines:

1. Check Case Material: Ensure your phone case is made of smooth, hard plastic or polycarbonate before choosing an adhesive PopGrip. If you use a soft silicone case, opt for an adjustable slide-on grip (PopSlide) or a magnetic accessory.
2. Determine Wireless Charging Requirements: If you use Qi or MagSafe wireless chargers daily, select a Swappable PopGrip (so you can twist off the top disc) or a PopGrip for MagSafe (which detaches magnetically in one second).
3. Verify Authenticity: To avoid low-quality counterfeit grips that break easily or drop your phone, purchase directly from official brand storefronts, authorized consumer electronics retailers, or carrier stores.