The Lightbulb
The Inventors.About.com Newsletter
April 15, 2000
~ Ask An Expert Page
~ Bio Patents: The Controversy
~ How to Guides
~ Touch Screen Technology
~ Community
~ Upcoming
--------------Reference & Articles----------------------
ASK AN EXPERT
"Inventors" has received so many requests for information on famous
inventors and inventions that we have decided to make it easier for you
to ask your questions, and at the same time make the answers available
for everybody to enjoy. I have created the "Ask the Expert" page. Most
of the time I can usually find the right answer, but sometimes I am stumped.
Right now I need to know who invented the extension cord, bobby pins and
the mechanical shopping cart? If any of you trivia or history buffs know,
please email me. I'll be giving out the super-dooper patent sherlock award
to anyone with the right answer, which will be a graphic representing how
smart you. You can proudly display the award on your own homepage.
http://inventors.about.com/library/blexpert.htm
BIO PATENTS: THE CONTROVERSY
Dr. Seed and his cloning project created a heated debate, but there
are other areas where biopatents and biotechnology has
raised ethical concerns. There are some newly updated links in this
article, including a link to the following tale summed up by me as - "A
man goes to Mexico and buys a bag of beans, he takes them home and
selectively breeds them to make a nice yellow colored strain. The man patents
his yellow beans. He then sues a company that sells the original and centuries
old Mexican beans, because they look too yellow."
http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa980114.htm
HOW TO GUIDES
How to guides explaining the complicated business of inventing, in
easy reading style. Topics include - qualifying for a patent - conducting
a patent search - avoiding an invention company scam - using a non-disclosure
agreement - using an inventor's logbook - licensing a patent - choosing
a lawyer - using a disclosure document - using copyrights and trademarks.
http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa031700a.htm
TOUCH SCREENS
The first "touch sensor" was developed by Dr. Sam Hurst, founder of
Elographics, in 1971. This sensor was called the "Elograph", the
"Elograph" was not transparent as are touch screens, but was a significant
mile-stone for touch technology. The first true transparent touch
screen came on the scene in 1974, again developed by Dr. Hurst.
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bltouch.htm
(AOL users: scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for AOL-friendly, clickable links.)
---------------------Hot Threads-------------------------
The following are the hot thread or forum discussions going on in our Delphi forum right now. These are all conversations on our bulletin board that you can feel free to join in and add you comments, opinions, advice or disagreements. Our forums are attracting the "professionals" among our readers, this is a good place to connect with your fellow inventor. You can read or browse all the messages as a guest, but you have to join in order to leave a message.
DISCUSSION: Leonardo DiCaprio Trademarked
Does anyone know any other celebrity who has done so?
http://forums.about.com/ab-inventors/messages/?msg=85.1
DISCUSSION: Defending the Invention of Corsets
I read the article on bra inventions, and I was appalled to see the
inaccuracies in it concerning corsets. Ignorant 20th century "historians"
like to portray them as evil torture devices symbolizing the dominance
of men and the tyranny which women once had to suffer. Only one problem--
this view is completely and utterly wrong.
http://forums.about.com/ab-inventors/messages/?msg=73.1
DISCUSSION: Who was the forerunner to the Internet??
Did anyone run 4 or 5 or 6 BBS's in the 1980's? We have a reader who
has -- let's show him a little respect. This man has had more experience
posting that all of us combined. And it shows.
http://forums.about.com/ab-inventors/messages/?msg=75.1
R.H. Rosen is ___________________________.
a) an undiscovered über genius
b) suffering from delusions of grandeur
c) manic depressive with schizo-effective disorder
d) a stalker
http://forums.about.com/ab-inventors/messages/?msg=75.10
(AOL users: scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for AOL-friendly,
clickable links.)
Or read it online go to http://inventors.about.com/library/newsletter/bl0401500.htm
------------------ Community ------------------
LET'S CHAT
Always open and ready for to fulfill your business, social and chit-chat
needs.
http://inventors.about.com/mpchat.htm
------------------ All About -----------------------------
PHYSICS @ABOUT.COM
We need a guide for this site.
http://physics.about.com
------------------ Upcoming on Inventors ------------------
About.com is patented, meet the inventors.
------------------ Lights Off ------------------
Mary Bellis
Inventors
http://inventors.about.com
inventors@aboutguide.com
ISSN ####-####
-------------- Clickable Links for AOL Users --------------
Ask An Expert -
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Bio Patents: The Controversy -
<a href="http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa980114.htm">
How to Guides -
<a href="http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa031700a.htm">
Touch Screen Technology -
<a href="http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bltouch.htm">
Forum Discussions
<a href="http://forums.about.com/ab-inventors/messages/?msg=85.1">
<a href="http://forums.about.com/ab-inventors/messages/?msg=73.1">
<a href="http://forums.about.com/ab-inventors/messages/?msg=75.1">
<a href="http://forums.about.com/ab-inventors/messages/?msg=75.10">
Let's Chat -
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Inventors -
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