On September 30, 1958, U.S. Patent No. D183613 issued to Kenneth E. Joy, on an inflatable building:

He improved the design and received a second patent (U.S. Patent No. D187690) less than two years later:

From the late 1950’s to the late 1970’s, the world of Architecture was fascinated by the idea of inflatable buildings, for radomes to protect radar installations, pool enclosures, lunar habitats, green houses, and as Mr. Joy was proposing, exhibition halls.

Today’s patents of the day are a glimpse back into 1942, less than a year after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entry into World War II:

Metals, badges, and even playing cards are just a few of the patent that issued this day reflecting on what was everyone’s mind in 1942.

On September 28, 1965, U.S. Patent No. D202,415 issued to Henry R. Harrison, on a Drive-IIn Restaurant:

The patent was assigned to A & W Root Beer Co., and was the basis for numerous A & W Drive-Ins:

On September 27, 1966, U.S. Patent No. D205876 issued to James S. Merritt, on a Frozen Confection:

The patent, which was assigned to the James S. Merritt Company of Kansas City, covered the popular BOMB POP. The BOMB POP name was registered December 12, 1972 (Reg. No. 948643).

Merrit eventually registered the configuration of the BOMB POP with the red, white, and blue coloring as a trademark in 1976 (Reg. No. 1039931), and the configuration irrespective of the coloring in 1979 (Reg. No. 1127938).

On September 26, 1967, U.S. Patent Nos. D208754 and D208755 issued to John O. Hruby each on a Water Fountain:

What is unique about these patents is that they are directed to the flowing water, and not any permanent physical structure. Unfortunately for Mr. Hruby, he had to go to the CCPA get his patents. See, Application of John O. Hruby, Jr, 373 F.2d 997 (C.C.P.A. 1967).

On September 22, 1959, U.S. Patent No. D186,162 issued to Borje Sjoman on a Motor Vehicle:

The vehicle a promotional vehicle used for home deliveries of Gevalia coffee:

While Gevalia’s teapot trucks were well‑known in Sweden and recorded in photos and memorabilia, they were never deployed in the U.S., where the brand is marketed through standard delivery and retail channels.

On September 21, 1965, Eldon C. Davis received U.S. Patent No. D202,333 on a Restaurant Building:

Several of these buildings, which housed Azar’s By The Number restaurants were constructed in Indiana, including this one in Fort Wayne:

They were essentially fast-food drive through restaurant, where you ordered your food “by the number.”

On September 20, 1966, Edward C. Bridger received U.S. Patent No. 205761 on a Building.

The patent assigned to Marriot Hot-Shoppes, Inc. covered one of many designs used by Marriott’s Hot Shoppes restaurants. A few of these repurposed buildings survive today:

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!