Post-It® Notes — It Wasn't An Accident
The story begins in 1968 with Dr. Spencer Silver, a research scientist (aka: company employed inventor) working for the 3M Company. According to legend, Dr. Silver was attempting to invent a super strong adhesive but failed, instead he invented the adhesive called Acrylate Copolymer Microspheres which would someday become the stickum for Post-It® Notes by […]
The Frisbee – How To Sell An Invention
The Frisbee: How to Sell an Invention Before there was Jim Morrison of The Doors (1960s recording group famous for “Light My Fire” and other Top 40 Hits) the star of the family was Uncle Fred Morrison. In fact, The Doors’ first record might not have been made if it weren’t for royalties earned by […]
Shark Tank – Behind The Curtains
Shark Tank | Behind the Curtains I have presented articles before about the favorite television show of inventors and entrepreneurs – Shark Tank. The articles have been about particular products, how deals are done and undone with the Sharks, and the preparations to take before pitching a Shark whether it be on TV or in […]
@ Ray Tomlinson
@ Ray Tomlinson Ray Tomlinson, the father of internet email, died on March 5 at the age of 74. It was Tomlinson who put everything together in 1971 so that over two-billion emails can be sent every day. His creation has brought the world closer together equally for good and for evil. As an integral […]
Brief History of Black Inventors
A Brief History of Black Inventors Because February is Black History Month, it is appropriate to reflect upon the accomplishments of the many Black Inventors. Any discussion of Black Inventors will always be incomplete because an inventor’s race is never required on a patent application. Of all our institutions, the Patent Office has always been […]
April 15th
April 15th April 15th, also known affectionately as, Tax Day has come and gone for another year. I hope the numbers were kind to you. As Americans, we pay our fair share of taxes based upon our income less whatever deductions we’re entitled to.Income as reported on our tax forms is important to small-entity inventors. […]
On The Market By Christmas
On The Market By Christmas Over the years, many inventors have asked me if I thought that I could get their invention on the market by Christmas. We live in a microwave society where everything needs to be done yesterday. Although the world is getting faster, it still takes some time to get an invention […]
Are Trade Shows Becoming Dinosaurs?
Are Trade Shows Becoming Dinosaurs? Your Invention Guru will be leaving on a jet plane next week for Las Vegas to attend the combined SEMA and AAPEX trade shows. These industrial trade shows are for the automotive and related industry. There will be products for virtually any motorized vehicle. The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) […]
Patent Trolls & Privateering
Patent Trolls & Privateering Although it is the mission of Cramer Patent & Design to keep their inventor client out of court, the so-called “Patent Trolls” are everywhere. In 2012, 56% of the patent lawsuits were directly linked to the Patent Trolls, also known in more polite circles as “Non-Practicing Entities.”So what are Patent Trolls? […]
Micro-Entity USPTO Discount
Micro-Entity USPTO Discount Effective March 16, 2013, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has a brand new classification of inventors which provides a significant reduction in Patent Office fees. The new classification is called Micro-entity. The discount is a substantial 75% of what most corporations pay. The USPTO has always provided individuals and […]
