Winter Event Recap
Winter Event Recap
Innovators & Patent Holders of Mountain View
The February 2 event was a fun dive into learning about patents and local residents who have been granted patents. Sundai Lott, attorney at law, gave an informative and concise explanation—“ Patents grant the inventor the right to exclude others from making, using, or selling their invention.
A patent is NOT a right to make, use, or sell the invention.”
She gave a detailed explanation of the history of patents and how the process has changed over the past 235 years since the issuing of the first patent in 1790. Since 2010 about 350,000 patents have been issued each year in the United States.
Next Pamela Baird presented the stories of nine local individuals who created inventions that were patented from 1868-1952. Some created numerous inventions, like George Formway who was granted at least four patents, three of which were for a walnut huller machine. Victor Bensen was also a prolific inventor, with five patents granted over thirty years. His creations centered around barbeque equipment. His last patent was granted in 1952 at the age of 76.
In a robust question and answer period Sundai answered many questions from the audience about the patent process, safety of
Sundai Lott, Patent Attorney, explains the patent process, and joins Pamela Baird for a fascinating look at Mountain View patent holders.
patents, legacy of patents( yes- a patent can be inherited) and other questions.
Detailed stories of the patent holders will be featured in the next four newsletters. See the articles about Edward Hawthorne( below) and Henry Rengstorff on page 7.
Edward Hawthorne A Designer of Escape
In 1868 at the age of 44 Edward Hawthorne patented the“ Nonpareil” Fire Escape. In the description of the device, he states,“ The nature of my invention is to provide an improved means of escape from burning buildings, to be known as the“ Nonpareil Fire-Escape.” The patent description continues to state,“ The lower portion of the apparatus consists of a flat bottom, and the upper part is attached to a canvas bag, by means of eyelets, rings, and cords, the apparatus being so arranged as to be lowered by the person occupying it.”
The drawing is a bit difficult to understand- a person using the device lowers themselves in a bag to the ground- sort of like repelling down a cliff! The apparatus is mounted over the window on the inside of the house.
Hawthorne emigrated from Dublin, Ireland, landing in SF on May 18, 1850 at the age of 26 – most likely drawn by the Gold Rush. We don’ t know what he did or where he lived. In 1874 Hawthorne was evidently living in San Francisco. That year he joined as a charter member of the“ Territorial Pioneers of California.”
This organization was a group whose membership was limited to those who came to California prior to September 9, 1850, the day that California became a state. On the membership roster he listed his occupation as“ real estate”. This raises the question- how was he able to invest in real estate? Had he made any income from his invention?
The patent was registered when he lived in Mountain View. In 1868,
Mountain View was located on the San Franciso San Jose Road( or El Camino) near Grant Road. The population was about 300-400 people. After the railroad was established in 1864, the town slowly became centered around the train stop on Castro Street. A hotel and livery stable were built. In 1870 the Weilheimer brothers built the general store at 124 Castro Street. The 1880 census showed him living in SF, married with four children. He was 26 years older than his wife, who was born in Holstein, Germany. His occupation was listed as“ capitalist”. This nomenclature was defined as people who received income primarily generated by rental property or loans, but also from stocks, bonds, or other investments. At some point the family returned to Mountain View. The December 31, 1887, death notice of the couple’ s one year old baby son, Garrett, appears in the San Jose Mercury News. An 1889 MV business directory lists E. Hawthorne, but no additional information. The family stays for a few more years before moving back to San Francisco.
Hawthorne died there on August 11, 1899, at the age of 75. He left a wife and eight surviving children.
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