On September 7, 1965, U.S. Patent No. D202179 issued to Richard Breidenich and Bernard Smith on a Vehicle:
The Vehicle was GM’s X-Stiletto concept car. While the car never drove a mile on its own, it make a big impression on the crowds at the 1965 World Fair:
And it still makes quite an impression today!
On September 3, 1963, U.S. Patent No. D196173 issued to Al Lapin, Jr. on a “Building”:
The subject building was The Dog House a Los Angeles chain of tiny restaurants, created by the inventor Al Lapin, and his brother, founders of the International House of Pancakes, to who the patent was assigned.
It does not appear that any of these restaurants survived, but here is what the looked like:
On September 2, 1902, Aaron Levaur received U.S. Patent No. D36,039 on a Paper or Draping Weight:
Can you identify the three men depicted? Here is a not-so-helpful hint: One used to be on the $20 bill. One was on a recently discontinued coin. One used to be on the $500 bill.
They are three presidents who died in Office McKinley (left), Lincoln (center) and Garfield (right).
On September 1, 1959, Carl F. Peterson received U.S. Patent No. D186030 on a Rocket Toy Bank:
The patent was assigned to Duro Mold and Manufacturing, Inc., and was just one of a series of space-age banks produced by the company. This particular bank was manufactured and marketed as the Destination Moon bank:
Another popular bank in the series as the Strato:
On August 26, 1969, Earl S. Swenson received U.S. Patent No. D215,050 on a Self-Service Restaurant Building:
Born Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon, Minnie Pearl, was an American comedian who performed at the Grand Ole Opry for decades before she became nationally famous because of her appearances on the hit television show, Hee Haw. At the height of her popularity she was persuaded by businessmen John and Henry Hooker to lend her name to a fried chicken chain to compete with Kentucky Fried Chicken.
By 1968 the Hookers had sold nearly 300 franchises, an decided to go public. The stock quickly climbed to $40.50 per share, even though there were just five restaurants in operation. The stock price continued to climb reaching $56 per share (a $64 million valuation), yet there were still fewer than 40 restaurants open, and none of them making a profit. After an SEC investigation revealed that the company lost $31 million in 1969, the stock price collapsed to under a dollar.
The chain is long gone, but the patented buildings live on. This one at 2130 Leavitt Road, Lorain, Ohio, is now a Marco’s Pizza:
On August 25, 1959, U.S. Patent No. D186,010 issued to William P. O’Brien on a Lawn Sprinkler:
The patent was assigned to the W.D. Allen Manufacturing Co., of Chicago, Illinois, which manufactured this design as well as several other iconic sprinkler designs:
On August 24, 1954, J.R, Hess received U.S. Patent No. D 172,879 on an Amusement Device:
Hess’ patent was assigned to the Meteor Machine Corporation, which began manufacturing the coin-opereated flying saucer in 1953:
According to their advertisements, the saucer moves back and forth, up and down, and rotates:
On August 22, 1978, James L. Damascus received U.S. Patent No. D249085 on a Toy Pot:
Gabriel Industries, Inc., assignee of James’ patent, manufactured the product in the mid ’70’s:
Gabriel also owned U.S. Reg. No. 1090398 on BUSY POT, which expired October. 23, 1984.
On August 21, 1962, David H. Braun received U.S. Patent No. D193434 on Panel for an Amusement Device:
The subject amusement device was the HI WAY PATOL game, manufactured by All-Tech Industries, Inc., assignee of Braun’s patent.
On August 20, 1968, U.S. Patent No. D212081 issued to Egbert Jamison and Ronald Zick on a Child’s Combination Multiple Climber and Slide or Similar Article:
The Patent was assigned to Jamison, Inc., which actually manufactured the play structure, and marketed it under the name GIGANTA:
