The other day I noticed an advertisement on TV for a new film, Flash of genius. I thought there was a fleeting glimpse of patent drawings.
It's about Robert Kearns, who in 1964 filed for a patent for the first (at least, successful) Windshield wiper system with intermittent operation -- windshield of course being what the British call a windscreen. It involved a cheap timer. Previously, the wiper moved all the time. He tried to interest the Big Three car makers and they said no, yet began to install them in their cars from 1969.
So he sued.
Wikipedia has an article about his life with more on the litigation. He ended up living opposite the Detroit courthouse.
I've already posted about earlier films/ movies which are about real inventors.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Sarah
http://www.craigslistpostingonline.info
Posted by: Sarah | 09 April 2009 at 12:40