Jerome Lemelson

Jerome Lemelson sitting at a round table in the former Hands On Science Center, with three tweens, discussing invention.

Lemelson believed that education was key to helping the US regain its place at the top of innovation and creativity in the world. In 1993, he and his wife Dorothy started the Lemelson Foundation to support educational initiatives to attract young people to science and invention. © Smithsonian Institution

Founder

by Martha Davidson

There is little in our contemporary world that has not been touched by the creative genius of Jerome Lemelson. Barcode readers and cordless phones, cassette players and camcorders, automated manufacturing systems, even crying baby dolls—these devices and hundreds of others that have shaped our lives derive from the inventions and innovations of this remarkable man. With more than 600 patents to his name and others still pending, Jerome Lemelson was one of the most prolific American inventors of all time, and in the sheer range of his ideas—from cutting-edge medical and industrial technologies to novelties, gadgets, and toys—undoubtedly one of the most versatile.

Formal portrait photo of an older Jerome Lemelson.

Jerome Lemelson.Courtesy of the Lemelson family

Physically unimposing—a thin, sharp-featured man of average height—Lemelson possessed not only an extraordinary intelligence and insatiable curiosity, but also an indomitable spirit. They enabled him to persevere in the face of financial and legal obstacles, championing the rights of the independent inventor and becoming, late in life, a multimillionaire. He used his wealth for philanthropic endeavors, as well as to support and defend his patents. In his philanthropy, as in his professional work, he was devoted to invention.

In the 1990s, he and his wife Dorothy established the Lemelson Foundation, inaugurated the Lemelson National Program in Invention, Innovation, and Creativity, and gave major grants to Hampshire College, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Nevada, and the Smithsonian Institution. These grants funded programs to encourage young people to pursue careers in invention and entrepreneurship, to promote industrial innovation, and to foster greater awareness and appreciation of inventors and invention in the United States.

Born in Staten Island, NY, on July 18, 1923, Jerome Lemelson was the oldest of three brothers. Their father, a physician trained at Columbia University School of Medicine, was a second-generation American of Austrian Jewish descent. He maintained his medical office in their home and was able to support the family in relative comfort through the years of the Great Depression, though he was occasionally paid with a chicken or a bottle of wine in lieu of money. Their mother was a teacher, trained at the Trenton Normal School in New Jersey. The boys' education began at PS 33, a two-room schoolhouse on Staten Island, where their mother had once taught.

Jerome Lemelson as a child, posing with his brother Howard. The family dog is between the boys. The dog sits with his front paws on either boy’s shoulder and has a pipe in its mouth. Its face has been painted to look like Petey, the dog in the Little Rascals Our Gang comedies.

Jerry (left) with his brother Howard and the family dog. Courtesy of the Lemelson family

Jerome—known as Jerry to his family and friends—showed an early fascination with technology, particularly with airplanes. It was the age of aviation, and he and his brother Howard, two years younger, were avid hobbyists, building gas-powered model planes and flying them in competitions on the weekends. They read aeronautical magazines with the enthusiasm that other children read comic books. Even at this early age, Jerry Lemelson's gift for invention was evident. He once devised an illuminated tongue depressor for his father to use in his medical practice. His fighting spirit manifested itself in his youth, too. Though small in stature, he was a fierce defender of his younger brothers, Howard and Justin, ready to take on anyone of any size who tried to bully them.

Howard and Jerome Lemelson stand behind the counter in a model airplane shop. They are holding a large model airplane.

Jerome Lemelson (right) and his brother Howard worked together on many projects, starting as children in their family home. Courtesy of the Lemelson family

After high school, he enrolled at New York University, but his college years were interrupted by World War II and service in the Army Air Corps engineering department. Before serving a stint in Alaska, he was assigned to teach auto mechanics to African American troops in Louisiana. This first-hand experience of segregation in the military heightened his sensitivity to issues of racism, discrimination, and civil rights—issues about which he would care deeply for the rest of his life.

Lemelson subsequently returned to New York University and completed his studies, graduating in 1951 with a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering and two master's degrees: one in aeronautical and the other in industrial engineering, a field that encouraged his creative thinking about production processes. About this time, he and his brother Howard, also an engineer, experimented with ways to produce a substitute for stainless steel, which was in short supply and very expensive during the war and early postwar years. They attempted to make chromized steel by infusing chrome into the surface of ordinary carbon steel. Although moderately successful, they did not pursue a patent. The process later was used in Europe.

Three-quarters portrait photo of Jerome Lemelson in his Army Air Corps uniform in 1942.

Jerry Lemelson served in the Army Air Corps engineering department during World War IIPhoto courtesy of the Lemelson family

While still in graduate school, Jerry Lemelson worked for the Office of Naval Research on Project Squid, a postwar effort to develop pulse jet and rocket engines. After graduation, he took a job designing guided missiles at Republic Aviation in New York. He shared his one-bedroom, East Side railroad flat with Howard, who recalls that Jerry would wake up almost hourly night after night, turn on the light, and write in a notebook he kept by his bed. In the morning, Jerry would ask Howard to read his notes and sign them as a witness to the six or seven new ideas for inventions that he had envisioned during the night. Although he had not yet filed for any patent, he was clearly preparing to do so, using legal binders and taking care to have his ideas witnessed and dated.

In 1951, Jerry Lemelson observed a demonstration of an automatic, punch-card-controlled metal lathe at the Arma factory in Brooklyn. Struck by the possibilities of automated industrial machines, he set to work developing plans for a universal robot that could measure, weld, rivet, transport, and even inspect for quality control. The robot employed a new technology: machine vision. Machine vision used computers to analyze digitized images from a video camera. It was a breakthrough invention and the one of which Lemelson was most proud despite the hundreds of others that he produced over the next 45 years.

Lemelson developed and refined this concept, writing a 150-page application that he finally submitted to the Patent Office on Christmas eve, 1954. By that time, he had also devised and submitted patent applications for an automated warehousing system, a flexible manufacturing system, and several other inventions related to industrial automation. Because he could not afford to hire a patent attorney, he wrote the applications himself, doing all the necessary research and legal work.

His inventions were not limited to industrial machinery and processes. By this time, he was filing patent applications at the rate of one per month, a pace he would continue and at times exceed for the remainder of his life. Many applications were for toys and novelty items.

A page from one of Lemelson’s invention notebooks, with an entry at the bottom of the page describing his idea for a new kind of propeller beanie that worked by blowing through a straw. There is a sketch of the beanie. The entry is dated 28 August 1950.

This page from one of Jerome Lemelson's invention notebooks shows his sketch for his first issued patent—a new kind of propeller beanie that didn't need wind. The wearer could blow into a tube to spin the propeller, or swap the propeller for a whistle. Courtesy of the Lemelson family

6 line drawing figures from pages 1 and 2 of Jerome Lemelson’s US Patent 2,654,973, issued 13 October 1953. This is Lemelson’s first issued patent and the figures show different parts of a propeller beanie that is operated by the using blowing through a straw. Different whistle toys could be substituted for the propeller.

About 70 of Lemelson’s patents describe toys, including his first patent, issued in 1953, for a new kind of propeller beanie. US Patent 2,6454,973, courtesy US Patent and Trademark Office

The postwar baby boom had created a rapidly growing market for children's toys, and manufacturers were seeking new product ideas. Toy companies were easier to approach than other types of corporations, and both the first patent issued to Lemelson (in October 1953, for a "toy cap," a variation on the propeller beanie) and the first invention he licensed (a wheeled toy to the Ideal Toy Company) were in this field.

Then Lemelson got his first bitter taste of patent infringement. It started with his idea for a cut-out face mask that could be printed on the back of a cereal box. He filed for a patent and then took his concept to a major cereal manufacturer. The company rejected his idea, but about three years later began packaging its cereal in boxes printed with cut-out face masks on the back. When Lemelson first saw such a box on the grocery store shelf, he was stunned. It was a crystal-clear case of patent infringement, and he filed suit. The case was brought to court, but dismissed; it was dismissed again on an appeal. These court appearances were the first of many he would make in coming years to defend his patents.

Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson at their wedding. They jointly hold the knife and are beginning to cut the wedding cake. Jerry has his arm around Dorothy’s waist.

Jerry and Dolly were married in 1954. Courtesy of the Lemelson family

It was in the early 1950s, too, that he began dating Dorothy Ginsberg, the daughter of a friend of the family. They had met for the first time on the Staten Island Ferry, many years before, when both were children. Dolly, as she is called by all who know her, has always had a strong intuitive sense about people. She remembers that on that first meeting on the ferry she said to herself, "I'm going to marry that boy!" They were married in 1954, about 20 years after their childhood encounter.

Dolly had grown up in Perth Amboy, across the river from Staten Island. After graduating from high school, she worked as a keypunch operator to earn money to pay for her art education. With a strong aesthetic sense and talent in the visual arts, she went on to study at the Parsons School of Design. Following graduation, she taught at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts, simultaneously opening her own interior design studio. With her creativity and her self-reliance, she was a good match for Jerry Lemelson.

Their honeymoon was spent in the Bahamas, but on the way home they stopped in Washington, DC, so that Jerry could do some research at the Patent Office. It was a sweltering day in Washington, and the process of obtaining documents in the Search Room was frustratingly slow. Dolly overheard a patent lawyer complaining that the place ought to be mechanized. When she repeated the comment to her husband, the idea immediately took hold. It was the seed that grew into his video filing system, for which he filed a patent application in 1955. The video filing system employed reels of magnetic or videotape to record documents, about 250,000 pages per reel. The documents could be read from stop-frame images on a television monitor. He devised a mechanism to operate the tape, and included it in his patent application. This mechanism later became the core component of audio and video cassette players.

The Lemelsons settled in Metuchen, NJ, in a garden apartment. With the birth of their sons Eric in 1959 and Robert in 1961, they moved into a single-family house. Metuchen, nicknamed "the brainy borough" because it attracted many intellectuals, was close to Menlo Park, where Thomas Edison—one of Lemelson's heroes—had developed his best-known inventions.

By this time, Lemelson's own inventions and patent applications were taking more and more of his time, and filing and legal fees were consuming most of his income. His inventions of the late 1950s included machines for injection molding, fax transmission technology, and a Velcro ping-pong ball target game. He had left his last engineering job to strike out on his own. He later explained to Kenneth Brown, author of Inventors at Work:

"In the beginning, I wanted to manufacture certain ideas I had in the toy and hobby field and become financially independent. After that, I planned to get my own lab and machine shop and develop my ideas further. I made several efforts to get into manufacturing, and they weren't very successful. I was working on a shoestring, and the money I had wasn't enough to carry me through. . . It wasn't until my last failure in business that I realized I should become a professional inventor and spend most of my time at it."

He kept an apartment in New York as a place for meeting clients, but did most of his work in an office-laboratory in the attic of the house in Metuchen. Dolly operated her interior design business from a studio on the first floor. Her income sustained the family well into the mid-1960s.

Dorothy and Jerome Lemelson sit on a cushioned wicker sofa in a garden setting. They are holding hands, smiling, and looking lovingly into each other’s eyes.

Jerry and Dolly in 1982. Courtesy of the Lemelson family

Although his time and energy were focused on his work and legal activities, Lemelson did not fit any stereotypical image of the isolated or eccentric scientist. He very much enjoyed the company of other people, especially his family and friends, and he and Dolly kept up a social life despite the pressures of work. In their home, the conversation often turned to social or political issues of the day, such as the civil rights movement or the Vietnam war. He was an advocate of physical fitness, typically starting his day by running a mile or two, followed by sets of push-ups and sit-ups, and was shopping in health-food stores long before they became part of the popular culture. Although he did not enjoy professional sports, he found time to play ball with his sons. He also loved to ski, both downhill and on water, well into his seventies, even after breaking a collarbone in a skiing accident at the age of 72. He had a sweet, gentle, playful side that was particularly evident when he was with children.

Jerome Lemelson, smiling at the camera, overlooks a display of some of the products he invented, including a Velcro target game, flexible toy car race track, and a Sony dual cassette recorder-player.

Lemelson's patents cover a wide range of fields, and many of his patents are used in electronics and toys. Courtesy of the Lemelson family

Yet his mind never ceased generating ideas or working out solutions to the problems he decided to tackle. On family outings to the beach, he would spend most of the day under a big umbrella (he was always concerned about over-exposure to the sun and to other carcinogens and pollutants), writing on legal pads or later recording his thoughts on a hand-held Dictaphone. Periodically, he would take a break and go for a brisk swim in the ocean. He regularly transcribed his notes into the ever-present bound notebooks and solicited the signatures of those around him—his secretary, friends, visitors—as witnesses.

Lemelson was filing a dozen or more patent applications each year. Each application required payment of a fee. Once filed, the applications had to be examined by the Patent Office for technical and legal merit before they could be approved, and the rate at which they were approved varied considerably. It could take a couple of years for even the simplest of them, the toy patents, to be issued. With his more complex inventions in medicine and industry, which often included many components and dealt with emerging technologies, it could take far longer—in some cases, decades. The Patent Office would subdivide Lemelson's applications into separate claims, and research them at different times. Once a patent was issued, there was another, slightly larger, fee to pay. But those were not the only costs.

Although Lemelson actively sought to license his inventions, he found that few companies were interested. In the late 1960s, operating out of his Manhattan apartment, he set up a company, Licensing Management Corporation, to market his own patents and those of a few other inventors. For a while, the company even represented NASA's spin-off technologies from the space program, but with little success. Lemelson would set up other similar companies from time to time in the ensuing years, but the effort was labor-intensive, with few results. Often only about one out of every 100 letters he sent out elicited an answer, and few led to licenses.

He found, as had other independent inventors before him, that many corporations with their own research and development departments were resistant to purchasing rights to products or technologies that were "NIH" ("not invented here"), particularly if the originator were an individual or small group. Corporations generally did not want to take risks in introducing products for which a market had not yet been developed. And if their R&D staff did eventually develop a similar product or technology, many companies were reluctant to pay licensing rights to the original patent holder.

Patents, like copyrights, are constitutionally protected, "securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive rights to their respective writings and discoveries" (Article 1, Section 8). Because patent infringements were not considered theft, criminal charges could not be brought for infringement, and civil charges by individual inventors were rarely sustained. Punitive damages were reserved for instances of willful infringement, and most corporate legal departments knew how to protect their companies against that charge. Moreover, the laws were not enforced consistently. Most judges did not have technical expertise or a specialty in patent law. Prior to 1982, when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit was established in Washington, DC, cases could be appealed only in regional Circuit courts, which varied greatly in their degree of support for the claims of inventors. In the New York Second Circuit, where Lemelson appealed his cases, only about one in four decisions in infringement cases would be in favor of the independent patent holder.

Lemelson was spending about 20 percent of his time in court or on legal issues related to patent infringements, and he was paying huge legal fees. However, he was beginning to have some success in licensing inventions to companies. In 1961, Texas Instruments bought rights to his system for manufacturing integrated circuits; in 1964, he negotiated an exclusive license for his automated warehousing system with the Triax Company of Cleveland, OH; and in 1967, he licensed his flexible manufacturing system to Molins, a British firm. Yet much of the profit from the licenses went to support suits against other companies that he believed had pirated his ideas. For example, soon after he made the deal with Triax, other companies began using the automated warehouse system; he and Triax jointly sued those companies for violating Triax's exclusive license, and the litigation dragged on for more than 20 years.

Jerome Lemelson smiling at the photographer. He is seated at a table and holds a loop of flexible track for toy cars in each hand.

Lemelson submitted a patent in 1967 for a flexible track toy for miniature cars. Photo by Marty Lederhandler, AP, courtesy of the Lemelson family

Another case centered on a flexible track toy for miniature cars for which Lemelson had submitted patent applications in 1967. The Mattel Corporation introduced Hot Wheels® the next year, and it became one of its most widely sold items. Hot Wheels® was based on a concept that Lemelson had developed and documented for the Patent Office, and he sued Mattel for infringement. A 22-year legal battle ensued; a $71 million settlement in Lemelson's favor in 1989 was overturned on appeal in 1992.

Fortunately, not every patent he received ended in litigation. His successes in licensing grew with time. In 1974, he licensed his audio cassette drive mechanism to Sony Corporation, who in turn sublicensed it to more than a hundred other firms in Japan and other parts of Asia. It was the basis for the Sony Walkman, one of the best-selling electronic products of its time. In 1981, he licensed about 20 patents for word-processing and data-processing technologies to IBM Corporation; for the first time in his life, he was financially secure. He also had the resources to take on even bigger challenges.

In 1989, one of the biggest challenges pitted Lemelson against four major Japanese auto makers: Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, and Honda. Gerald Hosier, one of the nation's top patent attorneys, represented Lemelson. The case centered on Lemelson's invention of machine vision, the concept behind barcode readers as well as sophisticated automated manufacturing systems used by Japanese companies and other auto makers. Lemelson had filed his original patent application back in the 1950s; the patents had only recently been approved. With Hosier in charge of Lemelson's legal team, the case was settled within a month, and the four companies, along with eight other Japanese automotive manufacturers, paid Lemelson royalties. Later, numerous Japanese, Korean, and European electronics manufacturers and European auto makers also agreed to settle.

Lemelson generally found that he had more success asserting his patent rights against foreign companies than against domestic companies. American corporations would go to great lengths and great legal expense to avoid paying royalties, perhaps to avoid setting a precedent in favor of other independent inventors. Sometimes the cost of their legal fees over the years of litigation would far exceed what they might have paid to license the patented product or process that they were fighting in court. The cereal company that printed masks on the backs of its boxes spent $150,000 to $200,000 in legal expenses to avoid paying $15,000 for licensing the idea from Lemelson.

Lemelson's innate optimism, his absolute confidence in himself, his underlying faith in the power of government to do good, and his firm belief in the legitimacy of his claims gave him the strength and tenacity to stand up to multinational industries. He made it his personal crusade to defend the rights of independent inventors against corporate giants, just as he had defended his brothers against neighborhood bullies in his youth. As his lawyer Gerald Hosier observed, "What Jerry is doing is standing up for the civil rights of inventors." In so doing, he became a hero to other lone inventors who lacked the stamina or the resources to do battle for themselves.

Jerome Lemelson's invention notebook volume A, pages 130–131, includes drawings of semi-hemispheres that focus the sun’s rays with metallized plastic film stretched over a wire frame.

Jerome Lemelson's invention notebook volume A, pages 130–131, 1960, illustrate ideas he had in the 1960s for producing electricity from sunlight by focusing the sun’s rays with metallized plastic film stretched over a wire frame. An electron tube would convert the concentrated light into electrical power. Courtesy of the Lemelson family

His prominence and his concern for the rights of the inventor led to his appointment in 1975 to the Patent and Trademark Office Advisory Committee, where he worked to reshape the relationship between the patent system and the legal system, and between American inventors and industry. In 1979, Lemelson testified before a Senate committee on the innovation crisis in the United States, describing what he perceived as an anti-patent philosophy. In that testimony, he stated that the obstacles put in the way of independent inventors—from the high legal costs entailed in preparing and filing patent applications to the failure of the courts to perceive or prosecute patent violations—were responsible in large part for the decline in U.S. technological innovation.

In the past, the United States had achieved its economic power from its technological inventions, but by 1979, 40 percent of new patents approved by the United States Patent Office were being issued to foreigners. Lemelson believed that only by supporting and encouraging the creativity and innovation of individuals could America regain and maintain its economic strength. The establishment of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in 1982 was a step forward, bringing more stability and consistency to the interpretation of the law in patent cases.

But Lemelson's ideas went beyond changing the legal framework. He had been thinking for many years about ways to change the system and to encourage innovation and enterprise. He wanted to see more opportunities open up for people of all backgrounds, and he believed that promoting invention and entrepreneurship to the younger generation was central to expanding opportunities. When he received his settlements from the auto and electronics manufacturers, he was finally able to put his ideas into action. In 1993, he established the Lemelson Foundation and launched the Lemelson National Program in Invention, Innovation, and Creativity with his wife and sons. During the first two years, the Lemelsons pledged more than $20 million to support educational initiatives that would attract young people to science and invention and encourage them to start their own businesses.

A key element of the program was what Lemelson called E-Teams, emphasizing excellence and entrepreneurship. At Hampshire College, his son Robert's alma mater in Amherst, MA, Lemelson put this concept into practice. Faculty-supported student E-Teams took on specific problems, such as finding more efficient ways of fish farming, with the aim of finding solutions that could be turned into independent enterprises after students graduated. Nearly a third of the students at Hampshire College, liberal arts majors as well as those in science programs, have participated in the E-Teams or related courses. A similar program was established at the University of Nevada at Reno. Lemelson envisioned expanding the E-Team concept to colleges and universities throughout the country, and even to elementary and secondary schools. He created the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA, now VentureWell) to carry out this vision.

The Lemelsons gave another generous grant to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to establish the Lemelson-MIT Awards Program, which honors and supports American invention through prizes, spokespersons, and activities. Two annual national awards, the Lemelson-MIT Prize of $500,000 and the Lemelson-MIT Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrate great living American inventors. The Lemelson-MIT Prize is the world's largest single prize for invention and innovation. At MIT, the Lemelson-MIT Student Prize of $30,000 is given annually to an MIT senior or graduate student showing remarkable inventiveness, and Lemelson Doctoral Fellowships support doctoral work in the field of invention. The programs supported by the grant also include E-Teams and a public education and awareness campaign on invention.

To reach an even wider audience, the Lemelsons gave more than $10 million to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History in 1995. The diverse activities of the Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the Smithsonian include public programs, conferences and symposia on themes of invention and innovation, exhibitions and publications, oral and video histories, archival resources for inventors and scholars, and a national database of inventors' records held by historical repositories. Still another of the Lemelsons' initiatives supported the Nevada Office of Science, Engineering, and Technology, established to promote engineering, technological development, and economic diversification in their adopted state.

In the mid-1980s, with their new financial success, the Lemelsons had moved from their modest home in Metuchen to a house in Princeton, NJ, facing a 600-acre park. Jerry Lemelson, always concerned about carcinogens and pollution, had wanted to get away from heavy traffic near the house in Metuchen to the healthier, greener environment of Princeton. Ten years later, he and Dolly moved again, this time to the even clearer air of Lake Tahoe, NV, where Lemelson could indulge his love of skiing. There they enjoyed visits from their sons Robert, who had become an anthropologist, and Eric, an environmental lawyer who was planning to start his own winery. It was a special delight when their grandchildren came to visit.

Jerry Lemelson possessed remarkable energy for a man of his age. While actively involved in creating the many programs of the Lemelson Foundation and its educational initiatives, he was still submitting new patent applications each month and dealing with legal teams handling his patent infringement cases. But on a visit to his son Robert, who was living in Indonesia at the time, Jerry Lemelson fell ill. Several months later, in the summer of 1996, he was diagnosed with cancer of the liver.

His response was to step up his pace of invention. Now he focused increasingly on medical technologies, particularly technologies that could be used for cancer treatment. He had invented medical instruments and techniques in the past—a talking thermometer for the visually impaired, a method for treating blood clots, a computer-controlled tourniquet, even a cancer detection and treatment method. Now he intensified his research. He read medical journals and spent hours on the phone talking with his oncologists and doctors at other cancer clinics. He was particularly interested in drug-delivery systems and immunotherapy.

Jerome Lemelson standing on a deck overlooking snow-covered roofs and Lake Tahoe. He is smiling at the photographer.

Even when he was "relaxing," away from work, Lemelson's mind was always churning. He wrote copious notes and had a seemingly infinite number of ideas. Courtesy of the Lemelson family

He hadn't yet encountered a problem he couldn't solve, and he approached his illness as he had many other problems in life, large and small: with his creative mind and his cautious optimism. Had the cancer not been so virulent, it's conceivable he might have devised a cure. But there was not enough time. Jerome Lemelson died on October 1, 1997.

In his final year, he filed nearly 40 patent applications, more than in any previous year. He sent the last one to his attorneys only six weeks before his death. A few years earlier, in a conversation with the writer Tom Wolfe, Lemelson had reflected on his life. "I don't have any regrets," he said. "This has been a good life. I've been independent, and I've done exactly what I wanted to do."

Lemelson's efforts earned him not only more than 600 patents, but other awards and honors as well. In 1990, he was inducted into the Institute of Technology's New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame and also received the New Jersey Pride Award for science and technology. Other awards included the Design News Engineering Achievement Award, 1994; the Design News Engineer of the Year award, 1995; the American Academy of Achievement Award, 1995; the Automation Hall of Fame Prometheus Award, 1997; and the Odyssey of the Mind Creativity Award, 1997. On Thomas Edison's birthday in 1998, the John Templeton Foundation, which recognizes "the incalculable power of the human mind," made a posthumous award to Jerome Lemelson. Another posthumous award, from the African-American Male Achievers Network, honored him for his record as one of the leading inventors in United States history and for his contribution to youth by promoting interest and opportunities in invention and innovation.

Eric Lemelson, when asked what image might capture the essence of his father, described a late afternoon at Lake Tahoe. His father, then about 70 years old, had returned with his lawyer from a long day at court and couldn't wait to get on his jet ski. There he was, out on the lake, his mind no doubt churning up new ideas as his jet ski churned up the water. Grinning like a 13-year-old, he was ready for the next challenge.

JEROME LEMELSON'S PATENTS:

You may read any of the patents listed below by entering the patent number into the US Patent and Trademark Office search engine.

 TitleIssue dateFiling dateNumber
1Toy cap13-Oct-195313-Nov-19502,654,973
2Advertising and display device15-Feb-195521-Sep-19502,701,929
3Magnetic target15-Feb-195525-Nov-19502,702,191
4Toy mine detector12-Jun-195612-Dec-19502,749,663
5Inflated aerial toy25-Sep-195622-May-19532,763,958
6Crying doll7-Jan-195814-Jan-19542,818,678
7Hollow sheet metal rivet with reinforcing work engaging shoulders11-Mar-19582-Jan-19522,826,110
8Ball manipulation game2-Sep-19587-Sep-19542,850,283
9Sounding jumping toy12-May-195913-Nov-19532,885,824
10Constructional mask1-Dec-19598-Aug-19552,914,772
11Inflatable toys15-Dec-195916-Feb-19542,916,849
12Plastic toys7-Jun-196031-Jan-19552,939,707
13Illuminated highway marker6-Sep-19606-Sep-19552,949,531
14Reflective display device6-Sep-196011-Jun-19532,951,419
15Magnetic recording8-Nov-19604-Nov-19552,959,636
16Toy gun containing ricochet noise mechanism6-Dec-196013-Nov-19532,962,837
17Ultrasonic apparatus18-Apr-196114-Nov-19552,980,123
18Noisemaking toys20-Jun-196114-Jan-19542,988,848
19Extrusion apparatus3-Oct-196122-Oct-19573,002,615
19REExtrusion apparatus5-May-1964 RE 25,570
20Beam and tube having selective switching means3-Oct-196114-Jun-19553,003,109
21Toy and track assembly16-Jan-196227-Jul-19593,016,845
22Inflatable display27-Mar-196216-Jan-19563,026,648
23Delayed action toys17-Apr-196213-Nov-19533,029,557
24Target game1-May-19627-Apr-19593,032,345
25Packaging apparatus22-May-19625-Aug-19593,035,382
26Automated storage14-Aug-196210-Apr-19563,049,247
27Reflective thread28-Aug-19621-Sep-19593,050,824
28Magnetic recording systems28-Aug-196227-Jun-19573,051,777
29Magnetic beam switching tube11-Sep-196210-Feb-19583,054,061
30Sound production mechanism20-Nov-196211-Apr-19603,064,389
31Inflatable toy27-Nov-196227-Feb-19593,065,567
32Inflatable toys4-Dec-196213-Nov-19523,066,439
33Inflatable toys15-Jan-196316-Feb-19543,073,058
34Automatic measurement apparatus12-Mar-19634-Dec-19563,081,379
35Facsimile apparatus2-Apr-196328-Feb-19583,084,213
36Compression springs9-Apr-196310-Jul-19573,084,926
37Recording and reproduction apparatus9-Apr-196324-Mar-19583,085,130
38Information storage system16-Jul-196312-Jan-19593,098,119
39Magnetic recording system8-Oct-196323-Sep-19573,106,612
40Inflatable space capsule toy5-Nov-19637-Mar-1962D196,800
41Product container and method of producing same3-Dec-19637-Mar-19613,112,824
42Air operated target apparatus24-Dec-19636-Apr-19593,115,343
43Automatic warehousing system28-Jan-196428-Jul-19543,119,501
44Riding toy16-Jun-196429-Dec-19583,137,510
45Plastic inflatable toys4-Aug-196431-Jan-19553,142,932
46Printing process25-Aug-196423-Jun-19603,146,144
47Apparatus for making a lenticular display sheet1-Sep-196418-Dec-19573,146,492
48Marking dart game1-Sep-196412-Feb-19593,147,011
49Wheel inspection apparatus15-Sep-196418-Aug-19593,148,535
50Method of fabricating an envelope29-Sep-19647-Nov-19603,150,473
51Ultrasonic tool3-Nov-196413-Apr-19613,154,890
52Inflatable pocketed target device29-Dec-196413-Jul-19643,163,419
53Ducted sheeting construction26-Jan-196528-May-19563,166,829
54Method of making a multi-layer electrical circuit16-Feb-196527-Dec-19603,169,892
55Molding apparatus16-Mar-19659-May-19583,173,175
56Method of making ducted panel16-Mar-196519-Feb-19573,173,195
57Inflatable toy and display device27-Apr-196527-Apr-19623,180,639
57RERadio telephone communication system3-Aug-196530-Aug-19603,198,888
58Radio telephone communication system17-Sep-1968 RE 26,459
59Article manipulation device24-Aug-196529-Apr-19633,202,449
60Highway marker24-Aug-196528-Jun-19603,202,979
61Dispensing closure21-Sep-196512-Dec-19633,207,377
62Apparatus and method for coating pipe16-Nov-196528-May-19563,218,184
63Partially metal coated transparent textile element30-Nov-196511-Jun-19533,220,871
64Combination sponge and scouring device4-Jan-19668-Feb-19633,226,751
65Automatic inspection apparatus and method4-Jan-196611-Jan-19633,226,833
66Combination tools4-Jan-196624-Dec-19543,227,012
67Article handling apparatus4-Jan-196611-Jan-19633,227,290
68Fluid processing apparatus and method4-Jan-196626-Feb-19643,227,642
69Erasable medium and recording apparatus with information indexing4-Jan-196627-Aug-19623,227,805
70Thermoplastic recording and reproducing apparatus with selective beam erasure8-Mar-196620-Mar-19613,239,602
71Camera apparatus for producing a plane pictorial representation of a three-dimensional surface5-Apr-196616-Jan-19563,244,065
72Packaging machinery5-Apr-196621-May-19623,244,082
73Automatic production machine12-Jul-196622-Oct-19653,259,958
74Adjustable manipulator12-Jul-196614-Jan-19633,260,375
74REAdjustable manipulator1-Jun-1971 RE 27,129
75Document producing means23-Aug-196625-Jul-19633,267,843
76Article manipulation apparatus13-Sep-196614-Jan-19633,272,347
76REArticle manipulation apparatus9-Jun-1970 RE 26,904
77Method and automatic apparatus for producing pile surfaced plastic sheeting27-Sep-19667-Jan-19633,275,487
78Composite screen assembly4-Oct-19663-Dec-19623,276,513
79Filament reinforced composite abrasive materials4-Oct-196620-Nov-19623,276,852
80(To the Triax Co.) Program console coupling for an automatic warehouse system15-Nov-196630-Dec-19643,285,437
81Apparatus for magentically recording and reproducing at a remote station over a telephone line15-Nov-196630-Aug-19603,286,033
82Packing assemblies3-Jan-196714-Oct-19643,295,672
83Panel structure17-Jan-196730-Apr-19633,298,433
84Method of making building panels17-Jan-19671-May-19633,298,883
85Container and Liner28-Feb-196727-Dec-19653,306,488
86Toy trackway and power vehicle14-Mar-196726-Feb-19643,308,575
87Scanning apparatus for reading documents comprising a rotating scanning disc14-Mar-196714-Jan-19643,309,669
88Envelope assembly28-Mar-196727-Apr-19643,311,288
89Automatic production apparatus and method11-Apr-19678-Apr-19653,313,014
89REAutomatic production apparatus and method20-Jan-1970 RE 26,770
90Particulate manufacture16-May-196722-Oct-19653,320,338
91Measuring device using variable thickness thin film tunneling layer13-Jun-196730-Nov-19643,325,733
92Composite filaments27-Jun-196715-Mar-19653,327,339
92REComposite filaments14-Oct-1969 RE 26,688
93Mold construction and method25-Jul-196715-Feb-19653,332,658
94Ducted panelling and articles10-Oct-19678-Jan-19653,346,220
95Apparatus for controlling rotary and longitudinal movements of a combined tool carrying spindle17-Oct-196723-Aug-19653,346,894
96Game playing board containing scoring area for media by electrically conductive strips24-Oct-196723-Sep-19633,348,844
97Display devices21-Nov-196723-Oct-19653,353,897
98Molding method for making sealed articles12-Dec-196716-Jun-19653,358,062
99Method of positioning and molding a preform integral with plastic material by rotational casting16-Jan-196817-May-19633,364,292
100Method of producing a product container23-Jan-19688-Jul-19633,364,648
101Apparatus for molding6-Feb-196815-Mar-19653,366,993
102Method of simultaneously cladding and deforming material by intense pressure5-Mar-196822-Oct-19653,371,404
103Welding apparatus5-Mar-19687-Feb-19663,372,263
104Automatic production apparatus and method12-Mar-19686-Aug-19643,372,568
105Packaging machinery and method28-May-196822-Oct-19653,385,025
106Extrusion apparatus and method11-Jun-19688-Jun-19643,387,330
107(To the Triax Co.) Remote carrier control apparatus for a warehouse system11-Jun-196830-Dec-19643,387,723
108(To the Triax Co.) Load responsive control means for a material handling apparatus25-Jun-19683-Feb-19653,389,814
109Molding device23-Jul-196820-Oct-19653,393,890
110Reflecting devices13-Aug-196823-Sep-19653,396,639
111Apparatus for surface forming materials3-Sep-196823-Aug-19663,399,425
112Electro-optical system24-Sep-196830-Sep-19653,402,982
113Sealing and bonding device1-Oct-196814-Feb-19663,403,717
114Apparatus for making composite sheet materials12-Nov-196816-Dec-19633,409,961
115Deposition molding apparatus and method26-Nov-19686-Feb-19683,412,431
116Electrically conducting panel3-Dec-196825-Nov-19643,414,863
117Combination sponge and scourer10-Dec-196822-Oct-19653,414,928
118Apparatus for transducing and recording information24-Dec-196827-May-19663,417,681
119Adjustable machinery joint31-Dec-196814-Jan-19633,419,158
120Extrusion apparatus21-Jan-19692-Oct-19613,422,648
121Packaging assembly11-Feb-196916-Jan-19673,426,959
122Ducted panel fabrication18-Feb-196923-Aug-19633,427,714
123(To Dow Chemical) Method for coating pipe11-Mar-196928-May-19563,432,326
124Record card scanning apparatus18-Mar-196910-Dec-19643,434,130
125Method of making heat transfer panelling8-Apr-196922-Oct-19653,436,816
126Matte structure and method of producing same8-Apr-196926-Jul-19663,437,783
127Toy track and vehicle24-Jun-196919-Aug-19593,451,161
127REToy track and vehicle8-Apr-1986 RE 32,106
128Method for producing composite articles12-Aug-196922-Mar-19633,461,197
129Electrical circuit fabrication12-Aug-196925-Nov-19643,461,347
130Molding techniques and apparatus19-Aug-196929-Dec-19643,462,524
131Aircraft structures and systems16-Sep-196910-Oct-19673,467,348
132Printing device23-Sep-196925-Aug-19643,468,252
133Container manufacture14-Oct-196914-Oct-19643,472,723
134(To the Triax Co.) Control means to prevent collision of a load carrier with an article on a conveyor28-Oct-196913-Aug-19623,474,919
135Automatic measurement system4-Nov-19694-Jan-19663,476,481
136Surface sensing apparatus2-Dec-196910-Jul-19633,481,042
137(To the Triax Co.) Multi-speed control system for a load carrier in a warehouse system30-Dec-19697-Apr-19653,486,640
138Vehicle toy and track therefor10-Feb-19704-May-19623,494,070
139Automatic storage apparatus24-Feb-197013-Aug-19623,497,088
140Light projecting and sensing device and target practice apparatus10-Mar-197010-Jul-19593,499,650
141Magnetic recording apparatus and method for moving a transducer into engagement with a selected portion of a record10-Mar-19702-Oct-19643,499,976
142Vehicle trackway toy17-Mar-197021-Aug-19683,500,581
143Article decoration apparatus and method31-Mar-197029-Dec-19643,504,063
143REArticle decoration apparatus and method9-Jul-1974 RE 28,068
144Magnetic recording and reproducing system12-May-197024-Sep-19633,511,940
145(To the Triax Co.) The automatic storage apparatus26-May-197013-Aug-19623,513,993
146(To the Triax Co.) The automatic storage apparatus7-Jul-197013-Aug-19623,519,148
147(To the Triax Co.) The automatic storage apparatus7-Jul-197013-Aug-19623,519,151
148(To the Triax Co.) The automatic storage apparatus14-Jul-197030-Jun-19653,520,424
149Composite materials apparatus and method for producing same4-Aug-197019-Aug-19683,523,055
150Extrusion techniques and apparatus1-Sep-197011-Jun-19683,526,020
151Molding techniques1-Sep-19706-Feb-19683,526,694
152Method of coating conduit22-Sep-19701-Nov-19663,529,987
153Composite sheet forming apparatus and method22-Sep-197012-Nov-19683,530,029
154(To the Triax Co.) The automatic storage apparatus29-Sep-197013-Aug-19623,531,002
155Endless track motion picture recording apparatus3-Nov-197023-Aug-19653,537,781
156Information storage and reproducing system10-Nov-197026-Feb-19543,539,715
156REInformation storage and reproducing system10-May-198320-Aug-1979RE 31,239
157Apparatus for electric cable29-Dec-197021-Jan-19693,550,203
158Tool structures12-Jan-197110-Oct-19673,553,905
159Tape cartridge and reader12-Jan-197111-Jun-19653,555,245
159RETape cartridge and reader1-Jul-1975 RE 28,461
160Document reading apparatus12-Jan-197113-Mar-19673,555,246
161Composite reinforced plastic foam sheet19-Jan-19713-Dec-19683,556,918
162Composite extrusion apparatus and method26-Jan-197121-Jan-19693,557,403
163Apparatus for surface forming sheet metal26-Jan-197119-Aug-19683,557,407
164Method for producing an assembly puzzle26-Jan-19715-Sep-19683,558,138
165Machine control apparatus2-Feb-197112-Mar-19683,559,256
166Machine control apparatus2-Feb-197112-Mar-19683,559,257
167Method and apparatus for pressure working materials2-Mar-19715-Mar-19683,566,645
168Article coating method2-Mar-197114-Oct-19683,567,485
169Wheeled action toy16-Mar-197113-Nov-19693,570,174
170Scanning technique, image, and article produced therefrom30-Mar-197116-Jan-19563,573,045
171(Lemelson-Assignee) Water pistol20-Apr-197114-Apr-19693,575,318
172Audio-visual record member and playback means therefore1-Jun-197124-Feb-19703,582,201
173Spraying systems8-Jun-197124-Feb-19693,583,635
174Extrusion die apparatus28-Jun-19715-Jun-19683,587,281
174REExtrusion die apparatus4-Nov-197525-Jun-1973RE 28,600
175Method for producing a composite material28-Jun-197110-Oct-19673,587,284
176Coding and routing apparatus and method28-Jun-19715-Sep-19673,587,856
177Automatic manufacturing apparatus20-Jul-197131-Aug-19643,594,254
177REAutomatic manufacturing apparatus30-Apr-1974 RE 27,992
178Extrusion apparatus method24-Aug-19715-Jun-19683,600,918
179Pipe coating apparatus24-Aug-197114-Oct-19683,601,085
180Tooling machine having surface sensing program starting20-Sep-197115-Nov-19683,605,909
181Method of fabricating a reinforced material28-Sep-197127-Mar-19693,608,183
182Container forming and assembly apparatus5-Oct-197123-Jan-19683,609,940
183Track toy12-Oct-197116-Feb-19703,611,622
184Frangible container26-Oct-197112-Dec-19683,615,034
185Lay-up apparatus26-Oct-197125-Jun-19683,616,070
186Molding apparatus2-Nov-197115-Apr-19683,616,495
187Apparatus and method for producing composite materials16-Nov-19717-Apr-19693,620,880
188Apparatus for driving tape in a cartridge18-Jan-19726-Jul-19703,636,273
189Automatic measurement apparatus25-Jan-19727-Oct-19693,636,635
190Building maintenance apparatus15-Feb-197217-Mar-19693,641,607
191Computing apparatus29-Feb-197228-Aug-19613,646,258
192(To Triax Co.) The load handling mechanism and automatic storage system4-Jul-19727-Mar-19693,674,159
193Irradiation method for production of fiber reinforced polymeric composites11-Jul-197218-Dec-19673,676,249
194Continuous manufacturing process and apparatus15-Aug-197227-Mar-19693,683,471
195Tube welding apparatus15-Aug-197210-Feb-19693,684,150
196Process for the manufacture of optical display devices15-Aug-197211-Aug-19693,684,614
197Area surveillance system22-Aug-197217-Jun-19703,686,434
198Toy vehicle and track19-Sep-197212-Oct-19713,691,670
199Casting and molding method19-Sep-197224-Feb-19693,692,892
200Tape cartridge drive and transducing apparatus for the tape26-Sep-197230-Nov-19703,693,983
201Credit verification system3-Oct-197221-Apr-19703,696,335
202Toy vehicles17-Oct-197224-Jan-19723,698,129
203Tape cartridge and transducing means17-Oct-19727-Feb-19723,699,266
204Automatic communication system12-Dec-197212-May-19693,705,953
205Extrusion apparatus2-Jan-19731-Sep-19703,708,253
206Document scanning apparatus and method9-Jan-197311-Jan-19713,710,078
207Information system23-Jan-197324-Feb-19713,712,956
208Reflex reflective sheeting13-Feb-197324-Jun-19703,716,445
209Flying model airplane3-Apr-19736-Jul-19713,724,123
210Code scanning system22-May-19736-Jul-19713,735,350
211Method of making a ducted sheet assembly and composite article3-Jul-19733-Dec-19683,743,493
212(To the Triax Co.) The load handling mechanism and automatic storage7-Aug-197322-Mar-19723,750,804
213Communication system7-Aug-197311-Dec-19723,751,583
214Activity doll18-Sep-197313-Oct-19723,758,982
215Molded container with internal support means7-Nov-19733-Feb-19723,774,812
216Apparatus for working moldable material27-Nov-19739-Apr-19713,774,890
217Container and retaining means4-Dec-19733-Feb-19723,776,372
218Game apparatus4-Dec-197324-Jan-19723,776,552
219Welding apparatus8-Dec-197313-Oct-19713,779,446
220Model airplane structure29-Jan-19746-Jul-19713,787,997
221Automatic transfer and transport system29-Jan-197427-Apr-19713,788,500
222Manipulation game29-Jan-197426-Jan-19733,788,641
223Toy vehicle and propulsion means therefore19-Feb-197419-Sep-19723,792,549
224Heat sealing machine and method26-Mar-19743-Feb-19723,798,874
225Method of making an electrical circuit2-Apr-197416-Feb-19713,801,366
226Opening means for a molded container9-Apr-197426-Oct-19713,802,594
227Record card scanning apparatus9-Apr-19745-Sep-19723,803,350
228Information storage and reproduction system having vertical synchronizing signal independent horizontal scanning frequency16-Apr-197422-Jul-19683,804,978
229Automatic inspection machine23-Apr-197424-Jan-19723,805,393
230Interconnectable game elements30-Apr-197424-Jan-19723,807,731
231Video detection system21-May-197424-Oct-19723,812,287
232Credit verification apparatus21-May-197413-Oct-19723,812,461
233Tool control and arrangement method18-Jun-197421-Sep-19713,817,647
234Apparatus for forming sheet metal18-Jun-19742-Aug-19723,817,671
235Card tranducing apparatus and method18-Jun-19742-Aug-19723,818,500
236Control system for molding28-Jun-197413-Oct-19723,820,928
237Composite and wall structure6-Aug-197424-Oct-19723,827,667
238Game apparatus6-Aug-197424-Jan-19723,827,694
239Optical sheet material6-Aug-19744-Jan-19733,827,783
240Container forming and filing apparatus3-Sep-197410-Jul-19723,832,827
241Magnetic tape transducing system15-Oct-197411-Mar-19743,842,432
242Magnetic tape drive and transducing method15-Oct-197411-Mar-19743,842,433
243Method for finishing articles3-Dec-197427-Mar-19723,851,426
244Toy boat17-Dec-197426-Feb-19733,854,238
245(To Molins Organisation Limited) Automatic production machinery17-Dec-197429-Aug-19693,854,889
246Adhesive surface dart and shocking absorbing target31-Dec-197424-Jan-19743,857,566
247Decorating method21-Jan-19753-Mar-19703,861,955
248Facsimile system and method4-Feb-197524-Oct-19723,864,514
249Assembly toy and craft11-Mar-197510-Sep-19733,869,824
250Audio-visual apparatus and record member therefor18-Mar-19751-Jun-19713,871,758
251Form filing system and method18-Mar-197516-Feb-19733,872,462
252Extrusion apparatus1-Apr-19751-Feb-19673,874,207
253Method for molding composite bodies1-Apr-197524-Oct-19723,875,275
254Appliance15-Apr-197516-Feb-19733,877,207
255Propellor driven toy vehicle22-Apr-197517-May-19733,878,642
256Scanning system29-Apr-197510-Oct-19723,881,053
257Display sheet material and method20-May-197527-Mar-19723,884,554
258Fiber reinforced composite material and method of making same17-Jun-197527-Sep-19713,889,348
259Toy mechanism22-Jul-19757-Mar-19733,895,458
260Method of generating monitorable video information from recordings on record members19-Aug-197524-Jan-19743,900,706
261Tooth cleaning implement7-Oct-19753-Jan-19743,910,293
262Ball for target games4-Nov-19755-Nov-19743,917,271
263Scanning system and method4-Nov-197522-May-19733,918,029
264Toy molding press18-Nov-197524-Jan-19743,920,368
265Video transducing apparatus and method for editing9-Dec-197514-Jan-19743,925,815
266Integrally formed projectile and hook-like fasteners9-Dec-197520-May-19743,927,881
267Extruded fence20-Jan-197617-May-19733,933,311
268Verification apparatus using a card scanning means24-Feb-197620-May-19743,940,795
269System and method for recording and reproducing video information on a card9-Mar-19768-Apr-19743,943,563
270Process of forming an irregular surface on the inside of a tube or pipe16-Mar-19762-Jan-19733,944,641
271Container with tear-weld opening means30-Mar-19763-Dec-19733,946,896
272Molding toy6-Apr-197610-Mar-19753,947,992
273Tool control system and method15-Jun-197614-Jun-19743,963,364
274System for scanning information recorded on plurality of magazine contained filmstrips20-Jul-19765-Nov-19743,970,775
275Medical basin27-Jul-197619-Feb-1974D240,767
276Electro-optical circuits and manufacturing techniques25-Jan-19776-Mar-19754,005,312
277Filament winding craft8-Feb-197719-Sep-19754,006,540
278Multiple magazine transducing apparatus15-Feb-197714-Nov-19744,008,490
279Pressure forming apparatus15-Mar-197716-Jun-19754,012,188
280Magnetic transducing apparatus for using both endless loop cartridges and reel-to-reel cassettes15-Mar-197714-Nov-19744,012,790
281Inflatable toy12-Jul-197710-Mar-19754,034,495
282Apparatus for forming ribbed tubing26-Jul-197728-Jan-19754,038,011
283Composite body molding apparatus23-Aug-19776-Feb-19754,043,721
284Position indicating system and methods6-Sep-197717-May-19744,047,025
285Tube wall forming apparatus11-Oct-197728-Jan-19754,053,274
286Apparatus for producing composite extrusions1-Nov-197729-Dec-19724,056,344
287Catapult launched model glider27-Dec-19777-Jun-19764,064,647
288Activity doll24-Jan-197824-Feb-19764,069,613
289Helmate28-Feb-197822-Jan-19764,075,717
290Building insulation system and method28-Feb-197830-Aug-19764,075,799
291Card scanning video system11-Apr-19789-Mar-19764,084,198
292Filmstrip transducing apparatus method2-Mar-197819-Jul-19764,087,839
293Method for making composite articles6-Jun-197822-Feb-19714,093,693
294Light conductor having electrical conductors extending longitudinally on surface13-Jun-197810-Dec-19734,095,101
295Cleaning appliance15-Aug-197825-Mar-19774,106,153
296Data generating and recording system for scanning a display tube screen15-Aug-197817-Mar-19754,107,741
297Magnetic tape transducing apparatus29-Aug-19782-Dec-19774,110,801
298Machine tool and method3-Oct-19787-Jun-19764,118,139
299Scanning apparatus and method3-Oct-197818-May-19724,118,730
300Button assembly for textile material17-Oct-19786-Oct-19764,120,054
301Method for molding17-Oct-197825-Jun-19744,120,922
302Method of coating a composite mold17-Oct-19782-Sep-19764,120,930
303Car recording and reproduction apparatus and method17-Oct-19783-Feb-19764,121,249
304Propeller driven toy24-Oct-197815-Apr-19774,121,376
305Flying toy24-Oct-197824-Jun-19774,121,794
306Method for forming hollow shells by rotational casting and winding thereon31-Oct-197812-Oct-19764,123,307
307Reflex reflectors with pyramid-shaped indentations28-Nov-19782-Sep-19764,127,693
308Scanning apparatus and method3-Apr-197916-Mar-19774,148,061
309Electro-optical circuits and manufacturing techniques10-Apr-197921-Jan-19774,149,088
310Two part sign indicia22-May-197918-Aug-19774,155,185
311Manufacturing apparatus31-Jul-197924-Nov-19764,162,757
312Continuous molding apparatus28-Aug-19798-Jul-19774,165,960
313Key and coin holder4-Sep-197921-Feb-19784,166,489
314Fastening materials2-Oct-197924-Nov-19764,169,303
315Composite structural members and fastening methods27-Nov-19792-Sep-19774,175,883
316Inflatable displays25-Dec-197929-Dec-19764,179,832
317Food flavorings and methods for producing same1-Jan-198015-Sep-19764,181,743
318Switch and lock activating system and method19-Feb-19809-Nov-19774,189,712
319Pressure forming method18-Mar-198010-Aug-19714,193,959
320Key assembly for electronic system29-Apr-198026-Dec-19784,200,227
321Method and means for automatically setting timepieces in a time zone27-May-198016-Sep-19774,204,398
322Wave generating apparatus and method10-Jun-198030-Nov-19704,207,154
323Method for scanning a card with video signal8-Jul-198010-Mar-19784,212,037
324Magnetic tape cartridge transducing apparatus and method15-Jul-198030-Dec-19774,213,162
325Video tape recording15-Jul-198027-Aug-19624,213,163
326Cartridge magnetic recorder29-Jul-198015-Dec-19774,215,379
327Eyeglass shields12-Aug-198026-Jul-19784,217,037
328Container and dispenser straw7-Oct-19802-Sep-19774,226,356
329Modular toy18-Nov-198019-Jul-19784,233,778
330Beam welding apparatus and method2-Dec-19804-Feb-19774,237,363
331Welding tool and method2-Dec-19809-Sep-19774,237,364
332Button assembly and apparatus17-Feb-198110-Oct-19784,251,311
333Molding system and method24-Mar-19815-Jun-19784,257,755
334Video telephone24-Mar-198117-Oct-19794,258,387
335Disposable syringe2-Jun-19811-Oct-19794,270,536
336Syringe and needle cover16-Jun-19811-Oct-19794,273,123
337Roller skate16-Jun-19812-Oct-19784,273,345
338Adhesive bandage25-Aug-19811-Oct-19794,285,338
339Game aiming device securable to television receiver cabinet25-Aug-19816-Nov-19784,285,523
340Molding system25-Aug-19813-Jan-19804,285,903
341Apparatus and method for controlling internal structure of matter8-Sep-19813-Mar-19764,288,398
342Automatic vehicle identification system and method8-Sep-198112-Oct-19794,288,689
343Rechargeable electric battery system15-Sep-19815-Mar-19804,289,836
344Solar energy collection panel and method13-Oct-198125-Jun-19794,294,230
345Patient monitoring device and method10-Nov-19813-Oct-19794,299,233
346Electrical energy storage system8-Dec-19815-Mar-19804,304,823
347Apparatus for forming and threading tubing15-Dec-198124-Aug-19794,305,704
348Continuous molding apparatus and method16-Feb-198222-Aug-19794,315,885
349Document recording method16-Feb-198210-Feb-19784,316,073
350Molding apparatus9-Mar-198210-Oct-19784,318,874
351Tourniquet30-Mar-198212-Oct-19794,321,929
352Method of roll forming a composite22-Jun-198216-Apr-19794,335,494
353Theft detection system and method29-Jun-19823-Nov-19804,337,462
354Scanning apparatus and method6-Jul-198216-Feb-19794,338,626
355Weighing apparatus and method27-Jul-198211-Jul-19804,342,038
356Apparatus for coding articles3-Aug-19828-Jan-19804,342,549
357Apparatus and method for charging a battery in a vehicle31-Aug-198220-Oct-19804,347,472
358Switch and lock activating system and method12-Oct-198215-Feb-19804,354,189
359Parking meter2-Nov-198212-Oct-19794,356,903
360Fire detection and warning system2-Nov-198217-Sep-19804,357,602
361Chemical reaction4-Jan-198327-Nov-19794,367,130
362Electronic digital watch10-May-198322-Dec-19774,382,687
363Shock wave processing apparatus31-May-198310-Sep-19794,385,880
364Electrical device of semi-conducting material with non conducting areas28-Jun-198326-Jun-19784,390,586
365Electronic tool and method9-Aug-198314-Sep-19814,397,196
366Molding system and article9-Aug-198325-Aug-19814,397,247
367System for recording video information on a record card9-Aug-198324-Apr-19814,398,223
368Temperature talking indicating device31-Jan-19842-Oct-19804,428,685
369Communication system and method28-Feb-198410-Mar-19784,434,510
370Sampling device13-Mar-19842-Dec-19804,436,978
371Measuring instrument and method20-Mar-198422-Jun-19814,437,241
372Switching activating system and method5-Jun-19844-Jun-19824,453,161
373Synthetic speech communicating system and method19-Jun-198420-Jul-19814,455,551
374Electronic digital watch21-Aug-198426-Feb-19824,466,742
375Electronic detection systems and method11-Sep-19842-Sep-19814,471,343
376Video telephone27-Nov-198419-May-19824,485,400
377Weapon controls system and method18-Dec-198426-Feb-19824,488,370
378Scanning apparatus and method16-Apr-19852-Jul-19824,511,918
379Electro-optical information recording and reproduction system16-Apr-19853-Aug-19834,511,930
380Television system and method23-Jul-198524-Mar-19814,531,152
381Automatic vehicle identification system and method30-Jul-19852-Sep-19814,532,511
382Position indicating system and method13-Aug-198526-Feb-19824,535,414
383Weighing apparatus and method1-Oct-198523-Jul-19824,544,929
384Communication system and method24-Dec-198519-Jun-19844,560,978
385Measuring device and method7-Jan-19863-Oct-19794,563,770
386Injection catheter and method25-Mar-198631-Jul-19844,578,061
387Magnetic record card transducing apparatus and method25-Mar-19866-Aug-19824,578,717
388Catheter and method13-May-198628-Oct-19804,588,395
389Record card transducing apparatus and method27-May-198616-Feb-19834,592,042
390Portable television camera and recording unit5-Jul-198625-Jul-19834,604,668
391Speech recognition control system and method2-Aug-198625-Mar-19854,605,080
392Navigation warning system and method12-Aug-198612-Oct-19794,611,209
393Video terminal and printer30-Dec-198625-Oct-19844,632,538
394Rotational molding apparatus30-Dec-198613-Jul-19834,632,654
395Tool and material manipulation apparatus and method13-Jan-19876-Aug-19844,636,137
396Magnetic recording and reproduction apparatus system and method10-Feb-19873-Jan-19864,642,705
397Video system and method24-Feb-19879-Jan-19844,646,172
398Image analysis system and method24-Mar-198730-Jul-19844,653,109
399Reaction apparatus and method7-Apr-19871-Aug-19844,655,146
400Scanning apparatus and method21-Apr-198715-Apr-19854,660,086
401Composition and method for detecting and treating cancer19-May-198725-May-19844,665,897
402Radiation beam apparatus and method19-May-198729-Oct-19764,666,678
403Vehicle performance monitor and method9-Jun-198712-Oct-19844,671,111
404Medical scanning, monitoring, and treatment system and method9-Jun-198725-May-19844,671,256
405Drug compositions and method of applying same23-Jun-198717-Jul-19844,674,480
406Apparatus and method for coding objects23-Jun-198727-Dec-19844,675,498
407Contact lens containing light sensitive material21-Jul-19871-Oct-19844,681,412
408Audio visual apparatus and method21-Jul-19875-Feb-19864,681,548
409Electronically controlled printing device13-Oct-19874-Feb-19804,699,052
410Chemical reaction apparatus and method27-Oct-198715-Mar-19854,702,808
411Communication system and method1-Dec-198727-Feb-19844,710,977
412Machining method and apparatus22-Mar-198816-Apr-19804,733,049
413Video terminal and printer21-Jun-198829-Dec-19864,752,808
414Methods for making cutting tools5-Jul-198815-Sep-19864,755,237
415Drug compositions and their use in treating human or other mammalian patients16-Aug-198816-Dec-19854,764,359
416Automatic manipulation system and method27-Sep-198811-Dec-19864,773,815
417Record member for magnetic and optical recording18-Oct-19883-Feb-19864,779,145
418Electro-optical instruments and methods for producing same14-Feb-198929-Apr-19864,803,992
419Portable television camera and recording unit4-Apr-198923-Jun-19864,819,101
420Surface shaping and finishing apparatus and method16-May-198926-Nov-19864,831,230
421Beam apparatus and method1-Aug-198921-Oct-19864,853,514
422Speech communication system and method8-Aug-19896-Nov-19864,856,066
423Face mask and method15-Aug-19898-Jul-19854,856,509
424Methods of forming synthetic diamond coatings on particle using microwaves22-Aug-198931-Mar-19874,859,493
425Production of crystalline structures17-Oct-198928-Jun-19844,874,596
426Dispensing catheter and method13-Feb-199025-Mar-19864,900,303
427Camera apparatus and method13-Feb-199030-Dec-19884,901,096
428Machine operation indicating system and method12-Jun-199027-Dec-19844,933,852
429Composite synthetic materials2-Oct-199031-Mar-19874,960,643
430Apparatus for coding and reading codes23-Oct-199023-Jun-19874,965,829
431Method for scanning image information6-Nov-199022-Sep-19894,969,038
432Internal combustion engines and engine components4-Dec-19905-Mar-19904,974,498
433Method and systems for scanning and inspecting images18-Dec-199027-Mar-19904,979,029
434Method and systems for scanning and inspecting images8-Jan-199115-Sep-19864,984,073
435Information storage and reproduction apparatus and method employing a flexible belt recorder system8-Jan-199120-Dec-19894,984,113
436Personal identification system and method5-Feb-199115-Jun-19874,991,205
437Educational toys2-Apr-199127-Jun-19885,004,442
438Automatic manipulation system and method21-May-199123-Sep-19885,017,084
439Drug units and methods treating blood clots21-May-19914-Aug-19885,017,379
440Radio frequency controlled interrogator-responder system with passive code generator28-May-19913-Mar-19875,019,815
441Apparatus and method for reacting on matter4-Jun-199129-Jun-19895,021,628
442Methods and systems for scanning and inspecting images11-Jun-199122-Aug-19905,023,714
443Container assembly and method18-Jun-199121-Oct-19855,024,343
444Method and apparatus for forming a composite material18-Jun-199110-Jul-19855,024,714
445Radiation manufacturing apparatus and method13-Aug-19917-Jul-19895,039,836
446Valves and valve components20-Aug-19917-Mar-19905,040,501
447Surface shaping and finishing apparatus and method12-Nov-199115-May-19895,064,989
448Methods and systems for scanning and inspecting images19-Nov-199127-Mar-19905,067,012
449Ball and roller bearings and bearing components26-Nov-19917-Mar-19905,067,826
450Diamond coated fasteners17-Mar-19927-Mar-19905,096,352
451Controlling systems and methods for scanning and inspecting images2-Jun-199224-Oct-19895,119,190
452Methods and apparatus for scanning and analyzing selected image areas2-Jun-19925-Nov-19905,119,205
453High density recording and reproduction system and method16-Jun-199230-Mar-19895,123,006
454Method and apparatus for scanning objects and generating image information7-Jul-199220-Dec-19895,128,753
455Reaction apparatus and method21-Jul-19927-May-19915,131,941
456Spark plug electrodes21-Jul-199216-Mar-19905,132,587
457Method and apparatus for scanning objects and generating image information1-Sep-199223-Apr-19925,144,421
458Radiation manufacturing apparatus and amendment8-Dec-19928-Nov-19905,170,032
459Method and apparatus for generating, storing, reproducing and displaying image information5-Jan-19932-Oct-19915,177,645
460Portable electronic instrument and method26-Jan-19936-Nov-19875,181,521
461Data system and method13-Apr-19936-Nov-19845,202,929
462Magnetic reproduction apparatus and method4-May-199324-Oct-19885,208,706
463Inspection control system and method13-Jul-199321-Sep-19905,228,112
464Radiation manufacturing apparatus27-Jul-199314-Aug-19925,231,259
465Apparatus and methods for automated observation of three-dimensional objects28-Sep-199328-Jan-19925,249,045
466Blade for ice skate26-Oct-199316-Mar-19905,255,929
467Drug units and methods for using the same9-Nov-199312-Nov-19915,260,071
468Portable television camera-recorder and method for operating the same9-Nov-19938-Jan-19925,260,837
469Method of controlling the internal structure matter23-Nov-199323-Nov-19935,264,163
470Automatic manipulator with reservoir and methods25-Jan-199429-Jun-19935,281,079
471Apparatus and methods for automated analysis1-Feb-199416-Jun-19935,283,641
472Ball and roller bearings and bearing components8-Feb-199421-Nov-19915,284,394
473Gears and gear assemblies22-Feb-199425-Sep-19915,288,556
474Information recording and reproduction methods using oscillation medium or transducer1-Mar-199416-Jun-19925,291,472
475Automatic pothole sensing and filling apparatus15-Mar-199419-Jun-19925,294,210
476Surface shaping and finishing apparatus and method3-May-199417-Dec-19905,308,241
477Fastening devices26-Jul-199410-Mar-19925,332,348
478Measuring instrument and method16-Aug-199417-Dec-19925,337,488
479Synthetic diamond coated electrodes and filaments20-Sep-199416-Mar-19925,349,265
480Apparatus and methods for automated observation of objects27-Sep-199416-Sep-19935,351,078
481Skis and runners1-Nov-199410-Mar-19925,360,227
482Molding/extrusion apparatus with temperature and flow control1-Nov-199421-Oct-19935,360,329
483Method and apparatus for road hole repair15-Nov-19943-Sep-19935,364,205
484Portable television camera-recorder and method for operating the same3-Jan-199524-Aug-19935,379,159
485System for controlling reception of video signals7-Feb-199524-Nov-19935,387,942
486Machine security systems18-Apr-199522-Apr-19945,408,536
487Hand-held video camera-recorder having a display-screen wall29-Aug-199524-Aug-19935,446,599
488Fastening devices10-Oct-199524-Nov-19935,456,406
489Drugs and methods for treating diseases10-Oct-199518-Jun-19915,456,663
490Towed watercraft and steering method31-Oct-199522-Nov-19945,462,001
491Methods for forming artificial diamond31-Oct-199513-May-19935,462,772
492Medical scanning and treatment system and method7-Nov-199525-Nov-19915,464,013
493Method of purifying water controlled by laser scanning2-Jan-199628-Dec-19935,480,562
494Series of images reproduced from addressable storage13-Feb-199614-Jan-19925,491,591
495Adaptively controlled centrifugation method11-Jun-199627-Dec-19935,525,240
496Apparatus and method for forming diamond coating25-Jun-19963-Nov-19945,529,815
497Machine security systems20-Aug-19966-Apr-19955,548,660
498High temperature reaction apparatus3-Sep-199610-Mar-19925,552,675
499Bar codes and methods8-Oct-19963-Jan-19955,563,401
500Motor vehicle performance monitor and method29-Oct-199618-Feb-19945,570,087
501Free-traveling manipulator with optical feedback control and methods5-Nov-19967-Jun-19955,570,992
502Method and system for cell transplantation5-Nov-19966-Jun-19955,571,083
503Method and apparatus for road hole repair including preparation thereof17-Dec-199614-Mar-19955,584,597
504Method of applying a wear-resistant diamond coating to a substrate1-Apr-19977-Jun-19955,616,372
505High temperature reaction method13-May-19977-Jun-19955,628,881
506Free-traveling manipulator with powered tools30-Sep-19977-Jun-19955,672,044
507Method of depositing synthetic diamond coatings with intermediates bonding layers18-Nov-19977-Jun-19955,688,557
508Stacked components assembly toy23-Dec-19977-Aug-19955,700,177
509Synthetic diamond overlays for gas turbine engine parts having thermal barrier coatings3-Feb-19987-Jun-19955,714,202
510Balloon actuated catheter17-Mar-199826-Apr-19955,728,123
511System and method for locating objects including an inhibiting feature24-Mar-199813-May-19945,731,785
512Method and apparatus for scanning and evaluating matter7-Apr-199821-Mar-19955,735,276
513Patient monitoring system14-Apr-199831-Jul-19965,738,102
514Sheet material with coating21-Apr-19986-Jun-19955,740,941
515Medical scanning and treatment system and method23-Jun-19987-Jun-19955,769,787
516Synthetic diamond layers having wear resistant coatings formed in situ and methods of applying such coatings28-Jul-199831-Mar-19975,786,038
517Body fluid analysis system4-Aug-199813-Oct-19945,787,885
518Material compositions18-Aug-19986-Jun-19955,794,801
519Method of implanting living cells by laser poration at selected sites18-Aug-199822-Feb-19965,795,755
520Medical devices using electrosensitive gels1-Sep-199812-Jun-19965,800,421
521Method and apparatus for road hole repair including preparation thereof8-Sep-199825-Nov-19975,803,661
522Motor vehicle performance monitor and method8-Sep-199817-Jun-19965,805,079
523Interactive educational system and method20-Oct-199813-Nov-19955,823,788
524Motor vehicle performance monitor and method20-Oct-199827-Nov-19955,823,993
525Fire detection systems and methods3-Nov-19983-Nov-19955,832,187
526Apparatus and methods for gene therapy17-Nov-199827-Dec-19965,836,905
527System and method for treating select tissue in a living being8-Dec-19985-Nov-19965,845,646
528Method and system for delivering therapeutic agents2-Feb-199916-Sep-19965,865,744
529Methods for forming diamond coated superconductor wire2-Feb-19991-May-19955,866,195
530Drug units and methods for use16-Feb-199928-Oct-19935,871,774
531Computer controlled vapor deposition processes26-Feb-19998-Apr-19965,871,805
532Computerized medical diagnostic system9-Mar-19997-Jun-19955,878,746
533Drugs and methods for treating diseases16-Mar-19997-Jun-19955,882,330
534System and method for treating cellular disorders in a living being6-Jul-199928-Feb-19975,919,135
535Apparatus and method for stand-alone scanning and audio generation from printed material31-Aug-199927-May-19975,945,656
536Computer operated material processing systems and method31-Aug-19995-Jun-19965,946,220
537System and method for detecting and neutralizing microorganisms in a fluid using a laser7-Jul-199912-Dec-19955,948,272
538Medical devices using electrosensitive gels14-Sep-199916-Mar-19985,951,600
539Methods for recording and reproducing information5-Oct-199930-Oct-19925,963,513
540Method for inspecting, coding and sorting objects12-Oct-199910-Mar-19925,966,457
541Automatically optimized combustion control26-Oct-199930-Dec-19985,971,747
542GPS vehicle collision avoidance warning and control system and method9-Nov-199924-Sep-19965,983,161
543Automatically optimized combustion control30-Nov-199921-Jun-19965,993,194
544Electro-optical instruments and methods for treating disease30-Nov-199919-Sep-19945,993,378
545Method and apparatus for scanning and evaluating matter30-Nov-199915-Aug-19975,995,866
546Personal emergency, safety warning system and method22-Feb-200030-Oct-19986,028,514
547Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding bar codes with primary and secondary information and method of using such bar codes7-Mar-200024-Sep-19966,032,861
548Prisoner tracking and warning system and corresponding methods25-Apr-20004-Jun-19986,054,928
549System and method for treating select tissue in a living being2-May-200020-Aug-19976,058,323
550Synthetic diamond coatings with intermmediate amorphous metal bonding layers and methods of applying such coatings4-Jul-200016-Apr-19976,083,570
551Danger warning and emergency response system and method4-Jul-200018-Apr-19976,084,510
552Medical devices using electrosensitive gels18-Jul-200016-Mar-19986,090,139
553Medical devices using electrosensitive gels1-Aug-200016-Mar-19986,096,023
554Synthetic diamond overlays for gas turbine engine parts having thermal barrier coatings8-Aug-200011-Sep-19976,099,976
555Synthetic diamond coatings with intermediate bonding layers and methods of applying such coatings26-Dec-200016-May-19976,165,616
556Friend or foe detection system and method and expert system military action advisory system and method26-Dec-200013-Jan-19996,166,679
557Image-modification methods2-Jan-200125-Jan-19936,169,840
558Friend or foe detection system and method and expert system military action advisory system and method13-Mar-200126-Apr-20006,201,495
559Motor vehicle warning and control system and method1-May-200128-Dec-19996,226,389
560Automatically optimized combustion control8-May-200125-Oct-19996,227,842
561System and method for treating select tissue in a living being15-May-20018-Sep-19986,233,474
562Fuzzy logic based emergency flight control with thrust vectoring10-Jul-200125-Sep-19996,259,976
563GPS vehicle collision avoidance warning and control system and method14-Aug-20018-Nov-19996,275,773
564System and method for treating select tissue in a living being11-Sep-20013-Apr-20006,286,514
565Medical devices using electrosensitive gels11-Sep-20016-Apr-20006,287,294
566Fire detection systems using artificial intelligence. Robert D. Pedersen and Jerome H. Lemelson11-Sep-20012-Nov-19986,289,331
567System and method for treating select tissue in living being25-Sep-20013-Apr-20006,293,282
568Intelligent traffic control and warning system and method13-Nov-200115-Sep-19996,317,058
569System and method for treating select tissue in a living being20-Nov-20013-Apr-20006,321,106
570System and method for treating select tissue in a living being4-Dec-20013-Apr-20006,327,492
571System and methods for controlling automatic scrolling of information on a display or screen. Jerome Lemelson and John H. Hiett26-Feb-200230-Apr-19976,351,273
572Medical devices using electrosensitive gels28-May-20026-Apr-20006,394,997
573Taillight mounted vehicle security system employing facial recognition using a reflected image. Jerome Lemelson and Louis J. Hoffman4-Jun-200215-May-19966,400,835
574System and method for treating select tissue in a living being4-Jun-20023-Apr-20006,400,980
575System and methods for controlling automatic scrolling of information on a display screen. Jerome Lemelson and John H. Hiett16-Jul-200226-May-20006,421,064
576Medical devices using electrosensitive gels30-Jul-20026-Apr-20006,425,904
577Prisoner tracking and warning system and corresponding methods, Jerome Lemelson, Robert D. Perdersen, and John H. Hiett20-Aug-200228-Feb-20006,437,696
578Friend or foe detection system and method and expert system military action advisory system and
method, Jerome Lemelson, Robert D. Pedersen, and Steven R. Pedersen
20-Aug-200220-Dec-20006,437,727
579Hand-held video camera-recorder-printer and methods for operating same27-Aug-20027-Jun-19956,442,336
580Automatically optimized combustion control, Jerome Lemelson and Robert D. Pedersen, and John H. Hiett22-Oct-200228-Dec-20006,468,069
581GPS vehicle collision avoidance warning and control system and method26-Nov-20022-Aug-20016,487,500
582Medical devices using electrosensitive gels10-Dec-20026-Apr-20006,491,663
583Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding bar codes with primary and secondary information and method of using such bar codes, Jerome Lemelson and John H. Hiett8-Apr-200328-Feb-20006,543,691
584Motor vehicle warning and control system and method, Jerome Lemelson and Robert Pedersen22-Apr-200328-Jun-19966,553,130
585Fire detection systems and methods, Jerome Lemelson and Robert Pedersen29-Apr-200323-Jul-20016,556,981
586System and methods for controlling automatic scrolling of information on a display or screen5-Aug-200322-Feb-20026,603,491
587Danger warning and emergency response system and method19-Aug-200323-Jun-20006,608,559
588Play and record audio system embedded inside a photograph19-Aug-20034-Jun-19986,608,972
589Medical devices using electrosensitive gels14-Oct-20036-Apr-20006,632,215
590Intelligent traffic control and warning system and method14-Oct-200331-May-20016,633,238
591Fuzzy logic based emergency flight control with thrust vectoring capability9-Dec-200318-Jun-20016,662,086
592Flexible manufacturing systems and methods23-Mar-200431-Dec-19906,708,385
593Three-dimensional display system9-Nov-200430-Oct-19986,816,158
594Play and record audio system embedded inside a photograph9-Nov-20042-Jun-20036,816,679
595Vehicle security systems and methods employing facial recognition using a reflected image14-Dec-20048-Mar-20026,831,993
596Selectively controllable heads-up display system25-Jan-20052-Oct-19966,847,336
597Intelligent building alarm29-Mar-200521-Jun-20026,873,256
598Robotic manufacturing and assembly with relative radio positioning using radio based location determination24-May-20051-May-20026,898,484
599Motor vehicle warning and control system and method14-Jun-200521-Apr-20036,906,639
600Superconducting electrical cable4-Oct-20058-May-19956,951,985
601Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding bar codes with primary and secondary information and method of using such bar codes31-Jan-20066-Feb-20036,991,164
602Machine tool method27-Jun-200610-Nov-19877,065,856
603System and method for enhancing speech intelligibility for the hearing impaired19-Sep-20063-Mar-20007,110,951
604Facial-recognition vehicle security system and automatically starting vehicle3-Oct-20064-Mar-20047,116,803
605Machine tool system18-Mar-200813-May-19877,343,660
606Facial-recognition vehicle security system13-Oct-20093-Oct-20067,602,947

 

For Further Reading

•Bailey, Anne Lowrey. "This Inventor's Latest: A New Foundation." The Chronicle of Philanthropy (August 10, 1995): 8-10.

•Brown, Kenneth A. Inventors at Work. Redmond, WA: Tempus Books, 1988.

•Hood, John. "How Business Delivers the Goods." Policy Review (July/August 1996): 14-15.

•Lemelson, Jerome H. "Young People and Ingenuity—Our Greatest Natural Resources." TIES: The Magazine of Design & Technology Education (March 1995): 1-55.

•Maloney, Lawrence D. "Lone Wolf of the Sierras." Design News (March 6, 1995): 70-84.

•Port, Otis. "Inspiration, Perspiration-or Manipulation?" Business Week (April 3, 1995): 56-57.

•Shulman, Seth. "Are you a Problem Solver?" Parade Magazine (May 5, 1996): 12-13.

•Thomas, Robert McG., Jr. "Jerome H. Lemelson, an Inventor, Dies at 74." New York Times (October 4, 1997): sec A, p.16.

•Wolfe, Tom. "Land of Wizards." The Best American Essays 1987, edited by Gay Talese. New York: Ticknor and Fields, 1987.

•Wysocki, Robert, Jr. "Royalty Rewards: How Patent Lawsuits Make a Quiet Engineer Rich and Controversial." Wall Street Journal (April 9, 1997): sec. A, p. 1.