I've never watched the New Year's ball drop, not even when I lived in New York City.
Month: December 2021
The Inflatable Kwanzaa Candelabra
Design patents are pretty simple things, relative to the more common utility patent. A design patent just protects the look of a thing, so it is mostly governed by its drawings. Here's an example: https://patents.google.com/patent/USD525009S1/ USP D525,009, FIG. 1 Now, that is not the drawing that was originally filed. The original drawing looked like this: … Continue reading The Inflatable Kwanzaa Candelabra
The Personal Energy Christmas Ornaments
At first, I was thinking this post would be about oil fields. I was finding all sorts of patents about Christmas trees on oil wells, and I thought it was amazing that the people who drill for oil had such festive spirits. But it turns out that "Christmas tree" is just a term of art … Continue reading The Personal Energy Christmas Ornaments
A Man Trap… You Know, for Vaults!
1884 problems require 1884 solutions.
An Urn That Looks Like You
t used to be, if you wanted your terrifying visage to glare balefully down at your descendants for generations, you needed to get a portrait done.
The Doomsday Machine
You would think that Dr. Strangelove would have been prior art.
The Carplaneboat
I was told that, in the future, we would have flying cars. But if you believe the patent records, we have had flying cars for nigh on a century!
Infinitymatrix and Infinityscrew
I wish I could explain, even if just to myself, why I find crackpots so deeply fascinating. I think it's the thrill of danger. When I start reading their stuff, I can feel the gentle tug of the void opening up, ready to receive me. Yes, tell me more. Yes, I would like to discuss … Continue reading Infinitymatrix and Infinityscrew
The Wand-Operated Menorah
I figure a big part of this blog is going to be holidays. They are a stimulant for the creative mind--a framework to drape a blog post around, or an invention. So, on this the sixth day of Hanukkah: https://patents.google.com/patent/US6053622A USP 6,053,622, FIG. 1 Is it uncouth of me to post this after sundown on … Continue reading The Wand-Operated Menorah