DOCSLIB.ORG

THE PHONE Dr

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
THE PHONE Dr InventorsJULY 2017 Volume 33 Issue 07 DIGEST ON THE PHONE Dr. Irwin Jacobs Recalls QUALCOMM’S MOMENT OF TRUTH Who Really Invented the Telephone? Mobile From Old to Newest Smartphone Marketing Tips Why the Pet Rock Was on a Roll A CRAZY LESSON ABOUT TIMING Why Did USPTO Director Resign? SUDDEN EXIT AND MORE MYSTERY $5.95 FULTON, MO MO FULTON, FULTON, PERMIT 38 38 PERMIT PERMIT US POSTAGE PAID PAID POSTAGE POSTAGE US US PRSRT STANDARD STANDARD PRSRT PRSRT EDITOR’S NOTE Inventors The Impact of One DIGEST Pivotal Moment Antonio Meucci got a raw deal. The Italian immi- EDITOR-IN-CHIEF grant knew it long before he died destitute in Staten REID CREAGER Island, N.Y., in 1889—and the United States House of ART DIRECTOR Representatives confirmed as much 113 years later. CARRIE BOYD Because Meucci couldn’t afford $250 for a defini- tive patent for his “talking telegraph,” he filed a one-year renewable notice of an CONTRIBUTORS impending patent in 1871. By 1874, he couldn’t even afford the $10 to renew that. STEVE BRACHMANN He sent a model and technical details to Western Union but failed to secure a meet- ELIZABETH BREEDLOVE ing with executives. When he asked for his materials to be returned, in 1874, he was DON DEBELAK told they were lost. Two years later, Alexander Graham Bell—who shared a laboratory DYLAN FORD with Meucci—filed a patent for a telephone and made a lucrative deal with Western JACK LANDER Union. Meucci sued and was reportedly nearing victory when he died in 1889. JEREMY LOSAW In 2002, the House issued a resolution saying “that the life and achievements of GENE QUINN JOHN G. RAU Antonio Meucci should be recognized, and his work in the invention of the tele- EDIE TOLCHIN phone should be acknowledged.” Some media outlets reported this as declaring that Meucci invented the phone and Bell did not, although the resolution in fact GRAPHIC DESIGNER stopped short of this. JORGE ZEGARRA It’s hard to say how different the communications world would be had Meucci come up with that 10-spot in 1874—Ma Meucci just doesn’t have the same ring INVENTORS DIGEST LLC to it, pun intended—but it’s clear that life would have been quite different for his descendants. Thanks to rapidly accelerating advancements in mobile technology PUBLISHER during the past few decades, the phone is arguably the most ubiquitous invention LOUIS FOREMAN in modern history. According to a study by app maker Locket, the average person unlocks his or her phone 110 times a day—and that was four years ago. The fig- VICE PRESIDENT, INTERACTIVE AND WEB ure could be higher now. VINCENT AMMIRATO Our phone package in this month’s issue, anchored by Qualcomm cofounder Irwin M. Jacobs’s historic risk-taking in 1989, shines a light on the Meucci-Bell FINANCIAL CONTROLLER controversy while noting the contributions of two other key figures. We examine DEBBIE MUENCH cell phone history and the Next Big Things that were and weren’t, as well as the Next Big Things of the present and how inventors can utilize them. SUBSCRIPTIONS The difference between a lucrative and failed invention invariably involves LOURDES RODRIGUEZ some combination of vision, courage, timing and luck. As we marvel at the mobile gadgets that billions of people feel they cannot do without, we would do © 2017 Inventors Digest, LLC. All rights reserved. Inventors Digest, LLC is a North Carolina limited liability company and is well to remember the visionaries who helped take us to this point whether they the publisher of Inventors Digest magazine. INVENTORS DIGEST were properly credited or not. and INVENTORS’ DIGEST are trademarks of Inventors Digest, —Reid LLC. Reproduction or distribution of any materials obtained in this publication without written permission is expressly pro- ([email protected]) hibited. The views, claims and opinions expressed in article and advertisements herein are not necessarily those of Inventors Digest, LLC, its employees, agents or directors. This publication MORE THAN EVER ONLINE! and any references to products or services are provided “as is” without any expressed or implied warranty or term of any kind. Our latest rollout of InventorsDigest.com While effort is made to ensure accuracy in the content of the infor- features: mation presented herein, Inventors Digest, LLC is not responsible • A cleaner website that loads faster and for any errors, misprints or misinformation. Any legal information contained herein is not to be construed as legal advice and is pro- presents more content; vided for entertainment or educational purposes only. Interested • Hundreds more back articles; parties and inventors seeking legal advice should consult a lawyer. • A voting system in which readers can rate posts; Ad rates, subscriptions & editorial content: 520 Elliot Street • A better commenting system. Charlotte, NC 28202 More to come as we continually [email protected] www.InventorsDigest.com build the site! [email protected] JULY 2017 INVENTORS DIGEST 3 BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE INNOVATION ALLIANCE YOU BY THE INNOVATION BROUGHT TO Contents July 2017 Volume 33 Issue 7 14 Features 24 On the Phone Qualcomm’s Big Moment; Phone History; What’s New; Smartphone Marketing Tips American Inventors 14 Scrubbing Made Simple 8 How Bathtub Cleaner Came to Be 18 Smartphone A La Carte Behind the iBlades Case System InventorsJULY 2017 Volume 33 Issue 07 DIGEST 20 How to Hatch an Idea ON 22 THE PHONE Veteran Inventor’s Keys to Success Dr. Irwin Jacobs Recalls QUALCOMM’S MOMENT OF TRUTH Who Really Invented the Telephone? Mobile From Old to Newest Smartphone Marketing Tips Why the Pet Rock Departments Was on a Roll A CRAZY LESSON 18 ABOUT TIMING Why Did USPTO Director Resign? 6 Bright Ideas SUDDEN EXIT AND MORE MYSTERY Spotlight on Innovation $5.95 FULTON, MO MO FULTON, FULTON, PERMIT 38 38 PERMIT PERMIT US POSTAGE PAID PAID POSTAGE POSTAGE US US PRSRT STANDARD PRSRT PRSRT STANDARD PRSRT 8 Time Tested INV-vol 33-05-July-2017Final.indd 1 6/20/17 8:26 AM Why the Pet Rock Had its Roll ON THE COVER Dr. Irwin Jacobs, 10 Social Hour cofounder of Qualcomm; Finding the Right Network for You Photo by Ken Hansen, Hansen Photo Inc. 12 Lander Zone Your Decisions; Paint on Your Own 34 Rau’s Research Inventors’ Good and Bad Mistakes 20 36 Prototyping 5 Steps When Using Smartphones Our strong patent system has kept America the leader in innovation for over 200 years. Efforts to weaken the 39 Eye on Washington system will undermine our inventors who rely on patents to protect their intellectual property and fund their Lee’s Departure at USPTO Adds research and development. Weaker patents means fewer ideas brought to market, fewer jobs and a weaker to Aura of Mystery; Major Rulings economy. We can’t maintain our global competitive edge by detouring American innovation. on Exhausted Patent Rights, Venue 46 Inventiveness Focus on the Fun and Fascinating TAKE ACTION AT SAVETHEINVENTOR.COM JULY 2017 INVENTORS DIGEST 5 “ An invention has to make sense in the world it finishes Pakems in, not in the world it started.” LIGHTWEIGHT, —TIM O’REILLY COMFORTABLE SHOES pakems.com These packable, low-cut shoes are designed for outdoor types such as skiers, bikers, hikers, climbers. Pakems also come in mid-boot and high-boot models. The low-cut shoes come in two different styles: a Dagadam warm and insulated version and a breathable, mesh style FIRST SMARTWATCH WITH for warmer weather. The low-cut shoes can double as slides; just step on the soft heel to slip on and off. AN AI NOTIFICATIONS CENTER The low shoe collapses to 1.5 inches high. The 10.5- dagadam.com inch high boot and 7.5-inch mid-ankle boot collapse to a 2-inch profile. Side pockets hold keys, cash, credit cards In a world teeming with smart watches, Dagadam is the first one to have and more. Retail prices are $55 for kids’ Pakems; $65 for an artificial intelligence-based Smart Notification Center that it calls the low boot; $70 for the mid boot; and $80 for the high Dagadam HUB. It analyzes and “learns” the way you interact with notifi- boot. They are scheduled to ship in November. cations and sorts future notifications based on your preferences and habits. Dagadam works with both Android and iOS. The watch features the SENSE touch bezel—a sleek, touch-sensitive ring around the outer edge of the display for easy navigation, clicking, scrolling, zooming and more. With Dagadam Buddy, you can exchange contact and social media TriLens information with friends by simply touching both Dagadam watches together for 5 seconds. The watch includes fitness components such as a CAMERA LENS HOLDER heart rate monitor and fitness tracking, as well as a built-in GPS. Shipping friidesigns.com was to begin in June. Dagadam has a retail price of $289. TriLens is designed to eliminate the need Spirale for multiple camera bodies, assistants and bulky bags. It increases the chances that WINE GLASS THAT CATCHES SEDIMENT you won’t miss that perfect shot at any occa- vacanti.com sion, with a replacement glass right on your hip. The holder safely carries up to three extra Spirale’s patented spiral at the glass bottom captures lenses, is rated for loads up to 100kg and keeps wine sediment to eliminate grit, reduce bitter taste and track of your lens caps. Weather resistant, it is reveal the wine’s richness. It works for both white and available for Canon EF, Nikon F and Sony E/FE. red wine. The Auto-friction mechanism keeps the TriLens stable when The corkscrew-like spiral means you don’t have to walking or running by automatically adjusting the force needed to plan ahead to separate sediment from your wine via rotate the housing, depending on the weight and size of your lenses.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • De Telefoon Van Reis
    De Telefoon van Reis 05-01-2016 Ontwerpopdracht profielwerkstuk van: Thomas Aleva & Nwankwo Hogervorst Inhoudsopgave Inleiding ........................................................................................................................... 3 Onderzoeksvraag ............................................................................................................................. 3 Johann Philipp Reis........................................................................................................................... 3 Globale werking van de telefoon van Reis ....................................................................................... 3 Globale werking van de telefoon van Bell ....................................................................................... 4 Het ontwerp ..................................................................................................................... 4 Ontwerpcyclus ................................................................................................................................. 5 Programma van eisen: ..................................................................................................................... 5 Deeloplossingen ............................................................................................................................... 6 Ontwerpvoorstel .............................................................................................................................. 6 Benodigdheden ...............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Telephone Talking to Your Neighbor Hasn’T Always Been As Easy As Picking up the Receiver
    INVENTIONS The Telephone Talking to your neighbor hasn’t always been as easy as picking up the receiver BY CATHERINE V.O. HOFFBERGER “Mr. Watson, come in here. I need you!” These historic words are as recognizable as Martin Luther King Jr.’s inspiring “I Have a Dream” and John F. Kennedy’s philosophical “Ask not what your country can do for you— ask what you can do for your country.” Uttered by one Alexander Graham Bell on March 7, 1876, this quote is remem- bered not for its eloquence or effect, but for what it represents: the invention of that great tool of everyday life, the Telephone. Bell, born in Scotland to a deaf mother in 1847, followed the professional footsteps of his father, uncle and grandfa- ther, all professors of elocution (the study of speaking). Young “Aleck,” a passionate elocutionist, specialized in teaching speech to the deaf. Telephony, the science of producing sound (‘phono’) electrically over distance (‘tele’), was the rage among Three weeks later, Mr. Watson famously heard Bell sum- 19th-century inventors. The telegraph, created in England moning him over its wires. As his was the first telephone in 1833 and soon improved by American Samuel Morse, to truly work and receive a patent, Bell was credited with accomplished that in staccato, on-and-off rhythms. By the the invention. mid-1800s, it was the world’s means of long-distance audi- Bell’s fledgling business sold just six telephones in its ble communication. Bell and other scientists across first month. But by 1891, the company, by then known as Europe and in the United States including Antonio AT&T (the Atlantic Telephone and Telegraph Co.), was Meucci, Johann Philipp Reis, Elisha Gray and Thomas operating some 5 million phones in America.
    [Show full text]
  • Local-Loop and DSL REFERENCE GUIDE Table of Contents
    Local-Loop and DSL REFERENCE GUIDE Table of Contents Prologue ............................................................................ 2 2.3.9.3 REIN ....................................................................32 2.3.9.4 SHINE..................................................................32 1. Introduction ................................................................. 5 2.3.9.5 PEIN ....................................................................32 2. What is DSL? ................................................................ 6 2.3.10 Bonding...............................................................33 2.3.11 Vectoring ............................................................35 2.1 Pre-DSL Delivery of Data ........................................................... 6 2.3.12 G.Fast ..................................................................36 2.1.1 Dial-Up ................................................................................ 6 2.1.2 ISDN .................................................................................... 7 3. DSL Deployment Issues ...........................................38 2.2 xDSL Overview ............................................................................. 8 3.1 Determining the Nature of the Problem ...............................39 2.3 DSL In-Depth .............................................................................12 3.2 Performing a Visual Inspection ..............................................44 2.3.1 ISDN ..................................................................................13
    [Show full text]
  • The Evolution of Science-Fiction Films and Novels
    2010 JUMP By Douglas Fenech, Christian Gradwohl & Jan Westren-Doll [DOES SCIENCE-FICTION PREDICT THE FUTURE??] [This research paper looks at a selection of science-fiction films and its connection with the progression of the television, the telephone and print media. It also analyzes statistical data obtained from a questionnaire conducted by the research group regarding communication media.] January 1, 2010 [DOES SCIENCE-FICTION PREDICT THE FUTURE OR CHANGE IT?] Table of Contents Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4 Science-fiction filmmakers are not modern day Leonardo da Vinci’s…………………………………………5 Predictions of the future in science-fiction films and novels………………………………………………………6 History of the future………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….8 The evolution of science-fiction films and novels.........................................................................11 A look into Television....................................................................................................................13 Mechanical Television.......................................................................................................13 Electronic Television.........................................................................................................14 Colour Television..............................................................................................................15 The Remote Control..........................................................................................................16
    [Show full text]
  • The Telephone and Its Several Inventors
    The History of Telecommunications The Telephone and its Several Inventors by Wim van Etten 1/36 Outline 1. Introduction 2. Bell and his invention 3. Bell Telephone Company (BTC) 4. Lawsuits 5. Developments in Europe and the Netherlands 6. Telephone sets 7. Telephone cables 8. Telephone switching 9. Liberalization 10. Conclusion 2/36 Reis • German physicist and school master • 1861: vibrating membrane touched needle; reproduction of sound by needle connected to electromagnet hitting wooden box • several great scientists witnessed his results • transmission of articulated speech could not be demonstrated in court • submitted publication to Annalen der Physik: refused • later on he was invited to publish; then he refused • ended his physical experiments as a poor, disappointed man Johann Philipp Reis 1834-1874 • invention not patented 3/36 The telephone patent 1876: February 14, Alexander Graham Bell applies patent “Improvement in Telegraphy”; patented March 7, 1876 Most valuable patent ever issued ! 4/36 Bell’s first experiments 5/36 Alexander Graham Bell • born in Scotland 1847 • father, grandfather and brother had all been associated with work on elocution and speech • his father developed a system of “Visible Speech” • was an expert in learning deaf-mute to “speak” • met Wheatstone and Helmholtz • when 2 brothers died of tuberculosis parents emigrated to Canada • 1873: professor of Vocal Physiology and Elocution at the Boston University School of Oratory: US citizen Alexander Graham Bell • 1875: started experimenting with “musical” telegraphy (1847-1922) • had a vision to transmit voice over telegraph wires 6/36 Bell (continued) • left Boston University to spent more time to experiments • 2 important deaf-mute pupils left: Georgie Sanders and Mabel Hubbard • used basement of Sanders’ house for experiments • Sanders and Hubbard gave financial support, provided he would abandon telephone experiments • Henry encouraged to go on with it • Thomas Watson became his assistant • March 10, 1876: “Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • History of Communication
    History of Communication Animals have their own methods of communication. For example Dolphins use sound to communicate with other dolphins and to echolocate when hunting. From the early history of human existence there have been many ways of communicating each other. People from different parts of the world use a variety of languages to express their thoughts. Gradually civilization thrived and ways of communicating other continents became a general need to build up political and economical inter-relationships among them. We find many curious and interesting methods of communication in the history of the world. Sri Lankan history reveals that messages were sent by birds often. And some messages were named after the bird that carried it. The postal system was one of the early forms of communication. Chou Dynasty created his own postal system in 1000 B.C. The mail would travel on a horse to the next pass. Romans had their own system called the “Cursus Pubius”, they used foot messengers. Genghis Khan made an early postal system using homing pigeons. Middle Age in European history is a very important period. After the invention of the printing machine people in Europe gathered knowledge by reading. They started thinking. Hence, many inventions and theories came forward. Among them were telegraph, telephone, television and radio. British inventors Sir Charles Wheatstone and William F. Cook invented the telegraph in 1837. Samuel Morse invented the telegraph communication system called the Morse code. It had long and short electrical impulses referring as dots and dashes. Each impulse is either a letter or number.
    [Show full text]
  • Adaptive Neural Signal Detection for Massive MIMO Mehrdad Khani, Mohammad Alizadeh, Jakob Hoydis, Senior Member, IEEE, Phil Fleming, Senior Member, IEEE
    This article has been accepted for publication in a future issue of this journal, but has not been fully edited. Content may change prior to final publication. Citation information: DOI 10.1109/TWC.2020.2996144, IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications 1 Adaptive Neural Signal Detection for Massive MIMO Mehrdad Khani, Mohammad Alizadeh, Jakob Hoydis, Senior Member, IEEE, Phil Fleming, Senior Member, IEEE Abstract—Traditional symbol detection algorithms either per- In recent work, researchers have proposed several learning form poorly or are impractical to implement for Massive approaches for MIMO signal detection. Samuel et al. [8, 9] Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems. Recently, sev- achieved impressive results with a deep neural network ar- eral learning-based approaches have achieved promising results on simple channel models (e.g., i.i.d. Gaussian channel coeffi- chitecture called DetNet, e.g., matching the performance of cients), but as we show, their performance degrades on real-world a semidefinite relaxation (SDR) baseline for independent and channels with spatial correlation. We propose MMNet, a deep identically distributed (i.i.d.) Gaussian channel matrices while learning MIMO detection scheme that significantly outperforms running 30× faster. He et al. [10] introduced OAMPNet, existing approaches on realistic channels with the same or lower a model inspired by the Orthogonal AMP algorithm [11], computational complexity. MMNet’s design builds on the theory of iterative soft-thresholding algorithms, and uses a novel training and demonstrated strong performance on both i.i.d. Gaussian algorithm that leverages temporal and spectral correlation in and small-sized correlated channel matrices based on the real channels to accelerate training.
    [Show full text]
  • Die Meilensteine Der Computer-, Elek
    Das Poster der digitalen Evolution – Die Meilensteine der Computer-, Elektronik- und Telekommunikations-Geschichte bis 1977 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 und ... Von den Anfängen bis zu den Geburtswehen des PCs PC-Geburt Evolution einer neuen Industrie Business-Start PC-Etablierungsphase Benutzerfreundlichkeit wird gross geschrieben Durchbruch in der Geschäftswelt Das Zeitalter der Fensterdarstellung Online-Zeitalter Internet-Hype Wireless-Zeitalter Web 2.0/Start Cloud Computing Start des Tablet-Zeitalters AI (CC, Deep- und Machine-Learning), Internet der Dinge (IoT) und Augmented Reality (AR) Zukunftsvisionen Phasen aber A. Bowyer Cloud Wichtig Zählhilfsmittel der Frühzeit Logarithmische Rechenhilfsmittel Einzelanfertigungen von Rechenmaschinen Start der EDV Die 2. Computergeneration setzte ab 1955 auf die revolutionäre Transistor-Technik Der PC kommt Jobs mel- All-in-One- NAS-Konzept OLPC-Projekt: Dass Computer und Bausteine immer kleiner, det sich Konzepte Start der entwickelt Computing für die AI- schneller, billiger und energieoptimierter werden, Hardware Hände und Finger sind die ersten Wichtige "PC-Vorläufer" finden wir mit dem werden Massenpro- den ersten Akzeptanz: ist bekannt. Bei diesen Visionen geht es um die Symbole für die Mengendarstel- schon sehr früh bei Lernsystemen. iMac und inter- duktion des Open Source Unterstüt- möglichen zukünftigen Anwendungen, die mit 3D-Drucker zung und lung. Ägyptische Illustration des Beispiele sind: Berkley Enterprice mit neuem essant: XO-1-Laptops: neuen Technologien und Konzepte ermöglicht Veriton RepRap nicht Ersatz werden.
    [Show full text]
  • Detection of Smartphone Malware
    Detection of Smartphone Malware Eingereicht von Diplom-Informatiker Aubrey-Derrick Schmidt Von der Fakult¨atIV { Elektrotechnik und Informatik der Technischen Universit¨atBerlin zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades Doktor der Ingenieurwissenschaften { Dr.-Ing. { genehmigte Dissertation Promotionsausschuß: Vorsitzender: Prof. Dr. Jean-Pierre Seifert Berichter: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sahin Albayrak Berichter: Prof. Dr. Fernando C. Colon Osorio Tag der wissenschaftlichen Aussprache: 28.06.2011 Berlin 2011 D 83 ii Acknowledgements On completion of my Ph.D. thesis I would like to sincerely thank all those who supported me in realizing and finishing my work. First of all, I am heartily thankful to my supervisors and Ph.D. Com- mittee spending time and effort on me. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sahin Albayrak and Ph.D. Ahmet Camtepe always were a shining example for scientific success to me. Throughout all of the stages of my thesis, they helped me to keep track on the right research direction, seriously revised all of my work, and patiently discussed and resolved issues not only related to my work. I am also deeply moved by their serious and honest attitude towards academic work. Additionally, I really appreciate their will for hosting and motivating me all the time while working at DAI-Laboratory at Technische Univer- sit¨atBerlin. I want to honestly thank them for their friendly, personal, and self-sacrificing will to help me in any situation throughout my time at the DAI-Laboratory. When meeting Prof. Dr. Fernando C. Colon Osorio on Malware Conference 2009 in Montreal the first time, I was really impressed by his will to put scientific discussion into the focus of the conference.
    [Show full text]
  • Exhibition Credits
    Exhibition Credits: Science Committee/Exhibition development team Evangelos Vitoratos, Professor, Department of Physics, Direct at S.T.M. Kordulis Christos, Professor, Department of Chemistry, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences Zelilidis Abraham, Professor, Former Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and performing debts of Director at S.T.M. up to 31/8/2010 Theodoros Deligainnis, Emeritus Professor, Department of Physics, Team Coordinator Christopher Krontiras, Professor, Chairman, Department of Physics Stavros Kotsopoulos, Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Dimitris Lymberopoulos, Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Exhibition Design and Curator Peny Theologi-Gouti, Architect-Ethnologist, S.T.M. Research and Material Collection Peny Theologi-Gouti, Architect-Ethnologist, S.T.M. Athena Pilarinos, Electrical Engineer, S.T.M. Design and Construction of Experiments Theodoros Deligiannis, Emeritus Professor, Department of Physics Evangelos Vitoratos, Professor, Department of Physics Spyros Koutsouvelis, Department of Physics Giannis Stais, Physisist Students of the Department of Pyysics Presentation of experiments Made possible with the support of volunteer students from the Department of Physics Study and Coordination of Installation and Activation of the Telephone Exchange ATZ-65 model Costas Bourdoulis, Former Technical Staff and Instructor of OTE, Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation, Leader in charge Installation and Activation of Telephone Exchange ATZ-65 EXHIBITION Costas Kaipanos, Former Technical Staff of OTE Andreas Economopoulos, Former Technical Staff of OTE Lefteris Raptis, Former Technical Staff of OTE With the support of Former and Current OTE Staff members. ‘Telecommunications in our life’ Implementation of Interactive Exhibit for the History of Telecommu- nications Nikolaos Avouris, Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Peny Theologi-Gouti, Architect-Ethnologist, S.T.M.
    [Show full text]
  • The Myth of the Sole Inventor
    Michigan Law Review Volume 110 Issue 5 2012 The Myth of the Sole Inventor Mark A. Lemley Stanford Law School Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.law.umich.edu/mlr Part of the Intellectual Property Law Commons Recommended Citation Mark A. Lemley, The Myth of the Sole Inventor, 110 MICH. L. REV. 709 (2012). Available at: https://repository.law.umich.edu/mlr/vol110/iss5/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Michigan Law Review at University of Michigan Law School Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Michigan Law Review by an authorized editor of University of Michigan Law School Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE MYTH OF THE SOLE INVENTORt Mark A. Lemley* The theory of patent law is based on the idea that a lone genius can solve problems that stump the experts, and that the lone genius will do so only if properly incented. But the canonical story of the lone genius inventor is largely a myth. Surveys of hundreds of significant new technologies show that almost all of them are invented simultaneously or nearly simultaneous- ly by two or more teams working independently of each other. Invention appears in significant part to be a social, not an individual, phenomenon. The result is a real problem for classic theories of patent law. Our domi- nant theory of patent law doesn't seem to explain the way we actually implement that law. Maybe the problem is not with our current patent law, but with our current patent theory.
    [Show full text]
  • Who Invented the Telephone?: Lawyers, Patents, and the Judgments of History
    Who Invented the Telephone?: Lawyers, Patents, and the Judgments of History Christopher Beauchamp Technology and Culture, Volume 51, Number 4, October 2010, pp. 854-878 (Article) Published by The Johns Hopkins University Press DOI: 10.1353/tech.2010.0038 For additional information about this article http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/tech/summary/v051/51.4.beauchamp.html Access Provided by Princeton University at 02/10/13 1:14PM GMT 05_51.4beauchamp 854–78:03_49.3dobraszczyk 568– 10/31/10 11:04 AM Page 854 Who Invented the Telephone? Lawyers, Patents, and the Judgments of History CHRISTOPHERBEAUCHAMP Who invented the telephone? In the United States, this question has a widely known answer. Alexander Graham Bell routinely ranks among the hundred “greatest” or “most influential” Americans, whether chosen by historians or internet polls.1 His cry of “Mr. Watson—come here—I want to see you,”al- though often misquoted, is one of the best-known exclamations in Amer- ican history.2 More than one hundred and thirty years after the event, Bell and Watson’s first telephone call remains a classroom staple: a standard de- vice for teaching Americans about the nation’s inventive past, and even for placing technological change at the center of mainstream history.3 Christopher Beauchamp is the Sharswood Fellow in Law and History at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. In an earlier form, this essay received the Levinson Prize of the Society for the History of Technology. The author is grateful for the advice of Anisha Dasgupta, Martin Daunton, Richard John, Robert MacDougall, Christine MacLeod, John Staudenmaier, and four anonymous referees for T&C.
    [Show full text]