Ted Wheeler believes he's found the solution to the country's, even the world's, economic woes.

He developed it right in his own home, carries it with him, plops it down in front of anyone who will listen.

"It is what it is," Wheeler said. "United Kingdom English Pounds Note."

The Post Falls man spreads out the colorful array of artwork doubling as currency on a table. There's fives, 10s, 25s, 50s, up to 500-pound notes, a combination of reds, greens, blues, yellows, golds, whites and blacks. Some are decorated with unicorns or lions. There are shields and knights.

"I've got an entire monetary system here," he said, sorting through the 12-inch by 18-inch laser copies, which would be reduced in size should they ever be produced on a worldwide level.

An international currency, he believes, could also ease economic differences between countries and perhaps even resolve civil unrest. It is just one of Ted Wheeler's ideas - some might say silly ideas, but Wheeler's mind is always firing, clicking, churns. Rest is rare.

The Post Falls man is a bit eccentric, some might say a bit crazy. He's not the sharpest of dresser and doesn't have much money. He's battled through his own problems with drinking. He can play the guitar and the mandolin, both of which he owns. He's been a cabinet maker and toiled in sawmills. He's one of those guys who might just be too smart for his own good as his sentences are laced with the language better understood by scientists, economists and mathematicians.

How about a circular chess board? That's a Ted Wheeler pitch which he's submitted to companies.

And another game, Barrel of Pirates, he has hopes for, too.

An artist, he produces detailed drawings of the Millennium Falcon of Star Wars fame.

The owner of PFM Studios also pulls out lined sheets of white paper, filled with mathematical equations and chemistry terms. He's working, he says, on what could be a cure for leukemia.

"I hope this is the beginning of something different, other than chemotherapy," he says.

Lately, he's pondering a football field that would be 150 yards long, 75 yards wide, have a second line of scrimmage, an extra set of players, and a 72-minute game.

Sounds crazy, right?

Not if you're Ted Wheeler.

Where did your idea about an international currency come from?

Over time I just start thinking of something that would be really cool that could help the economy. I produce it and illustrate it.

What would this do?

It would create a new value on monetary systems.

Have you submitted this idea to anything?

I've sent it to the White House, the BBC, presidents.

Any response?

No response. I haven't received any kind of reply or recognition.

Do you ever get discouraged?

Yeah. It shouldn't matter whether it comes from wealthy, middle class or poor.

How do you do when you play a game on your circular chess board?

Most of the time I win, but sometimes I lose. It's a game of chance and skill both.

So, how do you think the world's economy is doing?

I think it's all a big mess.

Do you consider yourself an inventor?

I guess. I just try and come up with different ideas. I come up with buildings, formats, starships.

You used to have a problem with drinking. How bad was it?

At one time, I was kind of drinking too much all the time, it would go on 12 hours a day. I quit being that way, I'm looking at dang near 30 years of being free.

How hard was it to give up drinking?

It was difficult. It gave me anxiety if I didn't have a drink.

But you did it?

I had to, so I did.

Where do your ideas come from?

I'm lucky God's gifted inside of me something like that. Whether, it's medical science, notations at the draft table or a game. God gives me the gift of insight that others don't necessarily have, so it's really cool.

Do you have any heroes?

Superman. He's got a vision, too.

How do you get by?

I get disability because my health isn't exactly up to par. That's about it. I go from one month to the next hoping I land a job or get something done, a contract.

One of these days, do you believe one of your inventions will catch on?

Well, I hope to get noticed and somehow have a more successful life, yes. I'm looking forward to something like that happening.

Do you believe you can make a difference in this world?

I'm somebody actually doing something and there's a bunch of people not doing nothing.