So you’ve brought something new and wonderful into this world. At first reading, you may think we’re referring to the magic of parenthood, but we’re actually talking about a different kind of creation (though you might consider it your “baby”). For some, it’s a formula or for others, it’s a design or even a whole new invention, the likes of which the world has never seen. Regardless, your hard work and research have finally paid off so give yourself a pat on the back. You’ve done all you’ve set out to do… now what? Well, to protect the intellectual property of your creation, you’ll need to patent it (if your invention isn’t patentable, there may be other IP protection available). Unfortunately, unlike the excitement that comes with inventing, the patenting process is a bit arduous. To help you out, here are some general time estimates for the patent process:

Disclaimer: Davison is not a law firm and does not provide patent services or other legal services. The information being presented is factual in nature and is not offered as, nor may it be taken as, legal advice. Any legal questions should be directed to a competent patent attorney or patent agent.

Step-by-Step: Navigating the Patent Process

Patent Process Step 1: Patent Searching (15 minutes to several weeks)

This first step involves searching for other patents, products or information in existence that may be similar to yours. While a search isn’t required to submit an application, it is an important step. This way, when you apply, you’ll be sure to avoid claiming features that already exist. You can do this yourself; however, if you’re not experienced at performing patent searches, you may want to work with a patent attorney/agent. If working with a patent attorney/agent, the time can vary depending on the case, but typically can be done in a manner of weeks.

Patent Process Step 2: What kind of patent?

This step involves simply making sure you’re aware of what type of patent to file for. This way you’re filling out the proper paperwork. There are three types of categories to consider:

Utility, Design, or Plant Patent?

a) Utility Patent: A utility patent may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new or useful process, machine, composition of matter, article of manufacture, or any new useful improvement thereof.

b) Design Patent: A design patent may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, or ornamental design for an article of manufacture.

c) Plant Patent: A plant patent may be granted to anyone who discovers or invents and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant.

Patent Process Step 3: Drafting a Patent Application (Several weeks to several months)

Once you’ve done your research and figured out what type of patent you’ll be applying for, it’s time for the next step- apply! At this stage, you’ll be required to put together the patent application. If you complete an application yourself, the process would simply be as long as it takes you to form a draft without errors. But again, if you lack experience, a patent attorney/agent is strongly recommended. Similarly to the patent search stage, an attorney/agent could take anywhere between several weeks to several months complete the application. This depends on the type of patent, the volume of work, and information provided by the client. At the very least, you should have a patent attorney/agent review your work.

If your invention needs a Utility Patent, you’ll have to decide whether to file a Provisional or Non-provisional application.

a) Provisional: a quick, informal and less-expensive application process. This applicant is not examined by the USPTO and is only valid for a year. That time allows an applicant to seek funding or test the marketability of the invention before incurring the added expense of a non-provisional application.

b) Non-provisional: Only a non-provisional application can lead to the issuance of a patent. The process of filing one is a lot longer and more expensive than a Provisional form.

Patent Process Step 4: File to Acceptance (7 months to 23.9 months)

At this point, your patent will have a ‘Patent Pending’ status. Don’t get too excited when you see 7 months up there, though. Typically the only cases where a patent is approved within a 7 month period is if it’s what’s called a Track One, which just means it’s prioritized. This can only apply to plant or utility applications and has different requirements, including a much larger fee than a normal non-provisional patent application.

Per the USPTO, the current estimated time for review from a Patent Examiner (or First Office Action) is 15.7 months (or 1.7 months for Track One) and the average wait to actually get a final determination (notice of allowance or final rejection) is 23.9 months. A provisional application is not examined and gives the applicant one year from that date to file for a non-provisional patent.

The non-provisional patent application process is lengthy because, at any given time, the USPTO has hundreds of thousands of patent applications to process. For example, in 2015, 629,647 applications were filed. Compare this to the mere 7,966 Patent Examiners working as of 2014.

We know this process can be overwhelming for some, and, for anyone feeling a little out of their depth, a patent attorney/agent can be very helpful. Our patent attorney, David DeMay, empathizes with those who get overwhelmed with the process, stating, “It certainly can be overwhelming, particularly if you are unfamiliar with government bureaucracy. There are numerous federal statutes and regulations that need to be followed and failing to follow proper procedure can have negative effects on the individual’s rights. That is why the USPTO requires every patent attorney/agent to pass the Patent Bar Exam before they are permitted to represent another individual in patent matters.”

Overall, there’s no one size fits all timeline for the patent process. It’s kind of like ordering from your favorite Etsy shop, the delivery timeline is just a rough estimate. Sometimes you’re pleasantly surprised, and other times you’re left waiting longer than you bargained for. The keys to getting through the process are to take your time, be detailed/thorough, and most of all – be patient. If you’re able to do all of this then, eventually, your invention or creation will legally be yours.

How do you feel after learning about those simple four steps to get a patent? Do you know what kind of patent would work for your idea? Are you ready to research your idea?

Click HERE to connect with a Davison invention team member.

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Did you know that on this day in 1844, Charles Goodyear received a patent for vulcanized rubber?

His last name might ring a bell and if you were thinking, “Could this be the man behind Goodyear Tires?” you would be correct!

Charles Goodyear was an American inventor who discovered the innovative process of vulcanized rubber.

His story begins in 1834 when he began to experiment with natural rubber. Five years later in 1839 by way of an accident, he discovered the process of vulcanization.

Let’s pause for a quick science lesson.

Vulcanization is essentially a chemical process that’s used to convert natural rubber or related polymers into more durable materials through the addition of sulfur and other accelerators or curatives.

OK – Back to the story.

So, after making this discovery, Goodyear realized that he was on to something! It was at this moment that he became determined and laser-focused on finding a better way to make rubber more stable.

Along his journey, Goodyear lived a very meager life. He didn’t have much to his name and lived for years off of the money that he received from investors.

Despite his financial woes, Goodyear continued on with his unwavering inventing spirit and, as we mentioned before, given the fact that the rubber industry in America was starting to plummet, he discovered that through vulcanization he could make rubber melt-proof and reliable.

Ten years after his journey started, Goodyear received a patent for his process, licensed it to manufacturers and made history.

Charles Goodyear’s story is a great example of how strong and resilient the inventing spirit can be. Though curveballs were thrown at him along the way, Goodyear kept his head down and feverishly worked to make his dreams a reality.

Are you going to take a page out of Charles Goodyear’s book? Submit your invention idea, today!

Copyright Davison, 2016

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcanization

http://www.biography.com/people/charles-goodyear-9315611#synopsis

https://www.american-inventor.com/charles-goodyear

Images:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/Goodyear-Charles-LOC-closeup.jpg

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Do you remember that old Verizon commercial where the spokesman would ask the question, “Can you hear me now? Good.” Well, that tagline wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone.

It was on this day in 1876 that Bell received a United States patent for his revolutionary new invention.

Every invention has a story and today we’re sharing Bell’s! Growing up, Bell worked with his father in London, where Bell’s father developed Visible Speech, a written system used to teach speaking to the deaf.

This was just the first glimpse of innovation that gleamed through in Bell’s life. During the 1870s, the Bells uprooted their family and moved to Boston, Massachusetts. It was here that Alexander became very interested in exploring the possibility of transmitting speech via wires. It was a curious innovation that left him hungry to find a viable solution – after all, in 1843, Samuel F.B Morse’s invention of the telegraph made communication almost instantaneous between two locations both far and wide.

The only hiccup of the telegraph was that it still required that hand-delivered messages be sent between telegraph stations and recipients; not to mention, only one message could be transmitted at a time.

It was this problem that Bell set out to fix and fix it is exactly what he did when he created the “harmonic telegraph.” This device combined features of a telegraph and record player to give people the ability to speak to one another from a distance.

Bell didn’t work alone as he employed the help of Thomas A. Watson, a Boston machine shop employee that helped him develop a working prototype.

The first iteration of their invention of the telephone worked a little something like this. Sound waves created an electric current that varied in both intensity and frequency, which caused a thin, soft iron plate (a diaphragm) to vibrate. These vibrations were then magnetically transferred to another wire that was connected to a diaphragm in another, distant instrument.

When the diaphragm vibrated, the original sound was replicated in the ear of the receiving instrument.

Believe it or not, Bell filed his patent a mere two hours prior to Elisha Gray, who had a similar claim. That was a close one! Just three days after filing, Bell’s invention carried its first clear message, “Mr. Watson, come here, I need you,” a message that was sent from Bell to his assistant.

The story doesn’t end there. In fact, that’s where it begins. Gray was then employed by the Western Union Telegraph Company and worked alongside fellow inventor, Thomas A. Edison to invent their own telephone technology.

Bell wasn’t too happy with this idea, so he sued and the case made its way to the United States Supreme Court, where Bell’s patent rights were upheld.

Copyright Davison, 2016

Sources:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/alexander-graham-bell-patents-the-telephone

http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/alexander-graham-bell

Images:

https://pixabay.com/static/uploads/photo/2014/07/26/06/48/alexander-graham-bell-402095_640.jpg

http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/84/115184-004-9C9C534F.jpg

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As the celebration of Black History Month is coming to a close, we wanted to place the spotlight on three contemporary African American inventors whose inventions have left their mark on society.

While we already featured famous historic African American inventors in our first installment, today we’re focusing on Lonnie G. Johnson, Dr. Patricia Bath and “King of Pop” Michael Jackson.

Let’s get started.

Lonnie G. Johnson

Every kid can thank Lonnie G. Johnson for maximizing their fun during a summer water fight. This former Senior Systems Engineer at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who worked on the Galileo Mission to Jupiter, might be best known for his popular invention, the Super Soaker squirt gun – the most coveted piece of water-fight equipment. In just two years after being invented, it’s reported that Johnson’s money-making machine soaked in more than $200 million in sales! But, besides his success on the market, Johnson also holds more than 80 patents with over 20 additional pending patents.

Dr. Patricia Bath

As an internationally-recognized ophthalmologist and surgeon, Dr. Patricia Bath can be credited for her invention of the laser-powered Laserphaco Probe. This invention has given physicians the ability to vaporize cataracts in the matter of minutes. Additionally, Dr. Bath has committed her life’s work to find solutions to the ongoing problem of blindness in African Americans. Thanks to Dr. Bath’s invention, people can see clearly now!

Michael Jackson

Speaking of clearly seeing the man in mirror, we can thank the “King of Pop” for inventing some of the catchiest songs, but we can also thank him for his invention of the Anti-Gravity Shoe. In 1993, Jackson received a patent for this invention that would create an anti-gravity illusion. The invention helped the person wearing the shoes to lean forward beyond the center of gravity by way of a specially-designed heel slot. This slot was attached to the stage by a nail or a post. The person wearing the shoe would slide their foot forward and engage with the post to perform gravity-defying leans.

Check them out!

Though Black History Month is quickly coming to a close, we can thank these three contemporary African American inventors for their innovative contributions to society!

Copyright Davison, 2016

Source:

http://madamenoire.com/106958/contemporary-african-americans-inventors/

Images:

https://blackhistory_pvg.s3.amazonaws.com/lonnie-g-johnson/5146423977_f262630274.jpg

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/inventors/images/bath.jpg

http://www.everythingaction.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Smooth-Criminal-michael-jackson-7446671-2200-1487.jpg

http://d39ya49a1fwv14.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/michael-jackson-double-10.jpg

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As the holiday season is upon us, we can’t help but think of all the innovative and creative minds that are behind those products that are flying off the store shelves as people continue to cross items off of their holiday wish lists.

So often, inventors with big ideas get hung up on the need for patents before a project even goes from ideation to a working concept model for testing.

Sure, in a blog that we wrote a few weeks ago, we put the spotlight on Lowell Wood, an inventor who surpassed Thomas Edison as America’s leading patent holder with 1,085 patents to his name.

Despite that amazing fact, today, we are going to discuss the topic of why some say it’s not always important to aspire to be a patent holder and to rather, aspire to see ideas in the marketplace!

Every year, hundreds of thousands of patented ideas never make it to the market. As we mentioned before, sometimes people get too caught up in “protecting” their idea, more than they are concerned with developing their idea.

Fear is often the motivator for people to jump right in to patenting their idea before it’s ready for that step. As we always say, invention ideas change over time; an initial product idea can have multiple iterations before its design is finalized.

Now, we aren’t discounting the value of a patent; after all, it is an important tool. But according to Tamara Monosoff, established author and contributing writer to Entrepreneur Magazine, it’s not the fast pass to success. Monosoff suggests that steps should be taken to validate your product and its potential success before a patent is filed.

That’s why she finds it important for a person, before he or she even considers patenting an idea, to ask themselves important questions regarding their invention idea. These questions may include:

• Can the product be manufactured?
• What’s the need for this idea?
• Is this invention idea marketable?

To that point, Monosoff suggests that before you pursue your idea and protect it, you should do your own research to see if your product is needed on the market and if your idea has the potential to be a viable business opportunity.

In the end, once you’ve done your research and determined whether or not there are roadblocks to your success, you can then ask yourself the question, “To patent or not to patent?”

If you have a new product idea that you would like to pursue – Let us help you with your idea!

Copyright Davison, 2015

The opinions of Tamara Monosoff are hers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Davison.  Davison does not offer or provide research or opinions concerning market potential or the viability of a business opportunity.

Sources:

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/80088

Image:

http://immortaldc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/patent-approved.jpg

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Year after year, America continues to be the most innovative, inventing nation in the entire world.

When we think of famous American inventors, more times than not, Thomas Edison’s name will likely be rambled off, among many other inventors.

This comes as no surprise, given the fact that he’s invented some of the most prolific inventions in history, such as the phonograph, light bulb and the movie camera, to name a few.

But, along with all inventions comes a slew of patents; and, being the great innovator and inventor that Edison was, between the years of 1869 and 1933, he tacked on 1,084 United States utility patents to his resume.

This astonishing number of patents made him the longstanding record holder for 82 years as the American inventor with the most patents. But, like most things in life, all good things must come to an end and Edison’s reign as patent king in America has come to a close, thanks to a man named Lowell Wood.

It was lucky patent 1,085 that allowed Wood to surpass Edison in the intellectual property department. So, what is Wood’s invention specialty?

According Bloomberg Businessweek’s Ashlee Vance, “The scope of his inventions is insane… he’s just this guy who is compelled to solve problems and invent new ideas.”

In fact, one of his inventions, the “Mosquito Laser” is a device that was invented in order to solve the problem of malaria by killing large numbers of mosquitos to help reduce people’s chance of contracting the disease.

With all of this talk about patents and inventions solving problems, we couldn’t help but reflect on the importance of patents and what it takes to chase your dreams.

So, with that being said, we wanted to offer you three inventing tips:

1. Be persistent – Coming up with an invention idea and hopefully seeing it succeed doesn’t happen overnight. If you’re serious about your idea, it’s important to understand that it’ll take diligence, perseverance and a great attitude to be able to handle the obstacles along the inventing journey.
2. Be positive – As we mentioned in the previous point, a great attitude is an important cog in the invention wheel. Know that there will be naysayers and people who are waiting for you to fail. Despite this negative energy, keeping a positive and focused attitude will help you deal with the curveballs and continue to chase after your dreams.
3. Be smart – Inventions come out of necessity and work to solve problems. Think of yourself as Sherlock Holmes. You are a detective who is looking to solve a problem and that problem will be solved with your invention idea. To that point, you’ll want to surround yourself with a “Watson;” what we mean by this is that you’ll want to spend time with people who share your vision, who support you and who encourage you to do your best day in and day out.

Lowell Wood’s 1,085 patents alone are inspiring; however, it’s his creativity, intellect and, of course, his innovative spirit that has earned him with the title of America’s leading patent holder.

Only time will tell how long Wood will keep the patent-holding crown!

Copyright Davison, 2015

Sources:

http://www.intellectualventures.com/insights/archives/move-over-thomas-edison.-lowell-wood-is-now-americas-most-prolific-inventor?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily+Intellectual+Ventures+IV+Insights+Blog&utm_content=Daily+Intellectual+Ventures+IV+Insights+Blog+CID_4443067d1f91f4203566d66e332d5cf8&utm_source=Email+marketing+software&utm_term=Move+Over+Thomas+Edison+Lowell+Woo

Images:

https://panosnomikos.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/lowell-wood.jpg

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If you’re one of the many people that spend more time in their car than in their house, Ford’s latest patent could make your commute a little bit homier!

Recently, Ford patented a concept for an autonomous car that can reconfigure its seats so that passengers in the front can face those in the rear, much like living room seating.

The patent drawing showcases a myriad of seat styles that can be altered to a person’s liking. For instance, a bench can be folded so that it’s either facing the rear or the front of the vehicle or a person can tuck their front seats under the dashboard for a comfortable foot rest.

Furthermore, the seats are on a swivel and can fold while the vehicle is in motion. Even the steering wheel can be stored in the dashboard for more space and added comfort!

The ultimate goal of Ford’s self-driving vehicle is that passengers can sit back and relax while their car takes them to their desired destination.

The idea behind Ford’s latest patent is reminiscent of the seating in the Mercedes-Benz’s futuristic autonomous concept that was revealed early this year at the International CES.

Though this is an innovative concept, you shouldn’t expect to see this vehicle in the near future. In fact, fully-autonomous vehicles are still a ways away from use due to regulatory and technological obstacles.

In the meantime, check out this short video from Bloomberg Business to learn more about Ford’s latest patent:

Copyright Davison, 2015

Sources:

http://mashable.com/2015/08/20/ford-living-room-car/ http://www.autonews.com/article/20150820/OEM06/150829990/ford-patents-autonomous-vehicle-with-reconfigurable-seats

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When a company considers an idea for a new product, it may be advised, “The first thing you need to do is file for your patent as quickly as possible.”  Particularly now that the US is a “First-Inventor-to File” system, some patent service providers have made much of the idea of filing immediately.  However, rushing to file an application before your idea is properly developed and researched can lead to wasted money, a false sense of security and dashed hopes.  Some basic facts about patents:

1.      Not all “ideas” are patentable.  Abstract ideas, laws of nature, non-novel ideas, and obvious adaptations are just a few of the types of “ideas” that are simply not patentable.

2.      Ideas that are not machines, compositions, a process, or a product (article of manufacture) are not the types of ideas that a utility patent addresses.

3.      If you have not developed the idea to the extent that you are able to describe in sufficiently precise detail how the idea would work, or if you are not sure if it would work, then you do not yet have a patentable idea.

In short, yes, filing as soon as it is practical is important, but understanding when it is practical can avoid unnecessary cost and frustration.

Copyright Davison  2014

Sources:

http://www.uspto.gov/inventors/patents.jsp

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Behind every invention is a creative mind and today, we wanted to take a look at some of these inventions and their beginnings!

Green Bean Casserole– Every Thanksgiving, amongst the juicy turkey and all the fixings is usually a delicious dish called green bean casserole. Although you might have thought that some grandma years and years ago invented the recipe, you might be surprised at its real origin. In 1955, the Campbell Soup Company created this famous recipe to help improve the dwindling sales of their Cream of Mushroom soup. We think that it’s safe to say that their recipe invention has definitely bolstered the sales!

Santa Claus– Who wears a red suit, has a snow white beard and is busy around the month of December? If you guessed Santa Claus, you are correct! But, did you know that prior to the 1930s, Santa was depicted more like a bishop than the playful, jolly man that we know today? In 1931, Archie Lee, from the D’Arcy Advertising Agency was working with Coca-Cola in order to create a campaign that would show a wholesome Santa who was both realistic and symbolic. So, they hired Michigan-born illustrator Haddon Sundblom to invent advertising images using Santa Claus.  Inspirations for these images were taken from Clement Clark Moore’s 1822 poem A Visit From St. Nicholas. Although some people believe that Santa wears a red coat because red is the color of Coca-Cola, Santa appeared in a red coat prior to Sundblom paining him. These re-invented paintings debuted in 1931 in Coke ads in The Saturday Evening Post as well as in Ladies Home Journal, National Geographic, The New Yorker and others! The ad was paired with the slogan, The Pause that Refreshes. These ads re-invented the way that we know Santa, today!

Boxed Cake Mix- You can have your boxed cake mix and eat it too! Sometimes, there is nothing quite like a slice of delicious cake. However, the idea behind the invention of boxed cake is a little unclear. Two invention stories swirl around, one of which was that they were an invention that came after World War II when companies had too much flour. Another story that surrounds this invention is that boxed cake mixes were invented in the 1930s when a Pittsburgh company (our hometown!) P. Duff and Sons had too much molasses. On December 10, 1930, John D. Duff applied for a patent for an “invention [that] relates to a dehydrated flour for use in making pastry products and to a process of making the same.” The first Duff baking-mix patent was granted on October 24, 1933, but, by that time, the Duff Company had already been perfecting their formula. By June 13, 1933, the company informed the U.S. Patent Office that they had made a major update to their invention, which is perhaps the biggest in cake-mix history- a cake mix that required the home baker to add fresh eggs. To this day, sometimes all that you need is a slice of cake and the idea of boxed cake mix is still serving up a slice of invention history!

Although these inventions span a wide range from green bean casserole to boxed cake mix, all the way to jolly old St. Nick, these inventions show that although they are common and we may not take a second glance at them, their initial ideas came from curious situations!

But, as we always say, the invention world never stops and as we speak, invention ideas are sprouting from interesting situations!

Copyright Davison 2014

Sources:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jessicaprobus/18-things-you-didnt-realize-started-as-marketing-ploys

http://www.coca-colacompany.com/holidays/the-true-history-of-the-modern-day-santa-claus

http://www.bonappetit.com/entertaining-style/pop-culture/article/cake-mix-history

Images:

http://www.campbellskitchen.com/recipeimages/classic-green-bean-casserole-large-24099.jpg

http://www.bonappetit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/duffsmix-700×450.jpg

http://d1lwft0f0qzya1.cloudfront.net/dims4/COKE/8cbf10b/2147483647/resize/584x%3E/quality/75/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fassets.coca-colacompany.com%2F6e%2F9b%2F96028057473782f6898f7703c652%2FW2272_santa_and_kid_1938.jpg

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Although they might seem like mundane everyday duties, they wouldn’t be possible without the invention idea of Lewis Waterman, who patented the first practical fountain pen in 1884.

Writing instruments that were designed to carry their own supply of ink had been in existence, in principle, for over one hundred years prior to Waterman’s patent. In fact, the oldest known fountain pen dates back to 1702 and another inventor by the name of Peregrin Williamson, a shoemaker from Baltimore, received the first American Patent for a pen in 1809. These early invention designs had their flaws, which included ink spills and many other failures that illuminated their impracticality and made them hard to sell.

Prior to the fountain pen, for thousands of years, any form of writing was done by way of a quill pen. Some of the early inventors observed the apparent natural ink reserve that was found in the hollow channel of the bird’s feather. From their observations, they tried to replicate and produce a similar effect with a man-made pen that would hold more ink and would no longer require constantly dipping into the ink well.

But, as well all know now, a feather is, in fact, not a pen. So, someone had to come up with a better way to write. The story goes that Lewis Waterman, who at the time was an insurance salesman, had an appointment with an important prospect. As he was making his way to the meeting, he decided to buy a new fountain pen that had just come onto the market. This is where the blot, oops, we mean the plot thickens! Waterman was in the process of sealing the deal when he handed the prospect his new pen to sign his name. However, all the pen would do was blot, which means, no signature, no policy.

Though this may sound like nothing more than just an over-dramatized story, the fact still remains that Waterman discovered the fundamental problem to the already existing invention.  With the help of his brother, Elijah, they handmade their first fountain pen and used it until a customer persistently asked to buy it. The first sale of the fountain pen forced Waterman into making another pen for himself, after which he began a business of making and selling fountain pens.

As National Inventors Month is slowly, but surely, coming to an end, Lewis Waterman is a true testament to the fact that inventions can come in all shapes and sizes and out of varying circumstances. In his case, although it might be a dramatized story, Waterman needed a pen to seal his business deals; so, he took it upon himself to invent a better way to write through his invention of the fountain pen.

To this day, more than 130 years since this invention discovery, Waterman fountain pens are still being sold! We can only wonder if Lewis Waterman ever had an “ink”ling that his invention would become such a hit!

Copyright Davison 2014

Sources:

http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa100897.htm

http://calibremagazine.com/node/270

http://www.waterman.com/en/content/9-the-heritage

Images:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lewis_Edson_Waterman.jpg

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTvWfT5lU38c4JY3RV-keJwtZ_RuYYxHWyIshbvIqUXOhDHTLnY

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