The Innovators
& patent holders of MV
When we think of “ innovation ” in Mountain View , we often think of companies like Shockley , Fairchild Semiconductor , Intel and others , who created processes and products that launched , enhanced or furthered the various technology industries we know today .
But prior to the change to technology , this area was an agricultural powerhouse . Many early innovators and patent holders created processes and devices to address the needs of agriculture . Some of them were well-known residents , while for others , few records remain of their accomplishments . For example , only the record of the patent approval may be the most we know about their efforts .
In 1885 Henry Rengstorff , prosperous business and property owner , patented an excavator device that made digging ditches much easier . Much of Mountain View at the time of his invention was planted in hay and wheat . His device enabled a farmer to create irrigation ditches .
According to the patent application description “ My invention is designed and used for hoisting and removing the earth from the bed of dry creeks . It is applicable to the work of forming ditches and drains or excavating of any sort .”
It ’ s no surprise that some of the patents holders and innovators worked in or owned machine shops . Jean F . Deray , a machinist by trade who lived on Latham Street , patented a diving suit in 1914 .
Winter 2025
Advancement in diving technology was occurring in Europe and the United States during the early 1900s . Although his suit looks rather cumbersome , he did form a company to manufacture the device . It ’ s not known how much success was achieved , as we can ’ t find any information about the company .
A prolific local inventor was William E . Formway , who owned a garage and machine shop . His primary and most successful invention was a walnut huller , which he patented in 1939 . His device made it easier to process walnuts by removing the outer covering of the walnut , a messy and laborious process when done by hand . He also invented a pecan cracker , a paper-box folder and several hoists for roofing work . Other inventors that lived in Mountain View created a fire escape , a screen door latch , a barbeque rotisserie and a screw type can opener , all patented inventions . It ’ s been a fun search for participating board members to find patents granted to local residents .
At our February 2 event we will learn about the patent process , cover the stories of other local inventors , and learn about what can be viewed at the Computer History Museum . We hope to have a local company talk about their patent granted in 2024 . Please register to attend .
— by Pamela Baird
Innovation
What is a patent ? by Sundai Lott , Attorney of Law
A patent is a right given to an inventor to protect their intellectual property . There are multiple types of intellectual property such as patents , trademarks , copyrights , and trade secrets . A United States patent gives the inventor the right to “ exclude others from making , using , offering for sale , or selling ” an invention or importing it into the United States .
This language is unique – a United States patent does not give the inventor an affirmative right to make , use , offer for sale , sell , or import the invention . Instead , it is a negative right which allows the inventor to stop others from doing so . If someone infringes your patent , you can initiate legal action . U . S . patent rights are territorial , meaning they are effective only within the U . S . and its territories and possessions .
There are three types of patents : utility , design , and plant patents . Utility patents are granted for inventing a new or improved and useful process , machine , article of manufacture , or composition of matter . Design patents are granted for inventing a new , original , and ornamental design for an article of manufacture .
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Patent rights have their origin in the United States Constitution and George Washington was the first patent examiner . The first patent in the United States was granted to Samuel Hopkins on July 31 , 1790 for a process to make potash , an important ingredient in fertilizer .
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