Patent of the Week

Week 14: 4,736,866: The Oncomouse!

Week 13: 10/378,423: One of the most clever and functional patent applications I've ever seen. Sadly, the application was abandoned. (Maybe Ellie turned him down!)

Week 12: #4,740,973: Madey's free-electron laser patent that caused all the trouble.

Week 11: #5,188,107: Test for cancer? Just pull on the patient's fingers...

Week 10: #560,351: Device for producing dimples (Truly scary looking! You try it first, OK?)

Week 9: #5,782,015: Dr. Dananberg's comfortable high-heeled shoe

Week 8: #821,393: The Wright Brothers' original patent!

Week 7: #3,216,423: Apparatus for Facilitating the Birth of a Child by Centrifugal Force. (Of course, the kid is likely to land on its head, but...)

Week 6: #292,190: Take me out to the ball game. It's playoff time!

Week 5: #6,368,227: Swinging on a Swing. A classic, but with a reexamination repealing its claims.

Week 4: #1,458,575: Illusion Device. It is interesting to speculate on the relative importance of codified and tacit knowledge in sawing a woman in half.

Week 3: #5,901,666: Pet Display Device. Wonder if they could make one for my dogs?

Week 2: #5,593,398: Protective Underwear with Malodorous Flatus Filter. The perfect gift for someone you know?