Inventor Name
Telescoping Shopping Cart
Repository
National Museum of American History
Smithsonian Institution
Archives Center
P.O. Box 37012
MRC 601/Room 1100
Washington, DC 20013-7012
202-633-3270
https://americanhistory.si.edu/archives
Physical Description
1 cu. ft. : 2 boxes
Summary
In 1946 Watson devised a plan for a telescoping shopping cart, which, unlike carts developed by Sylvan Goldman in the 1930s, did not require assembly or extensive storage space. The hinged sides of the baskets on Watson's carts allowed the telescoping so that one cart could be fitted into another. Goldman filed a competing patent to Watson's, but in 1949 they came to a compromise: Goldman relinquished rights to the patent in favor of Watson; in return Goldman obtained licensing rights (in addition to three licensing rights already granted). Watson and his partner also received royalties on each cart produced. Business Records: contain deals of finances and operation of Telescope Carts, Inc. Legal Records: show licensing and manufacture agreements and challenged to the patent process. Provides information relating to the development of the telescoping shopping cart and the legal challenges encountered by its creator, Orla E. Watson, in the patenting, licensing, and manufacturing processes.
Finding Aid
https://amhistory.si.edu/archives/d8739.htm
