Inventors and Patents From the City of Kansas City
If you’ve ever wondered where Inventors and Patents came from, you’re not alone. Kansas City has produced numerous innovators. Here’s a quick list of some famous names and companies. It’s easy to get lost in this city’s long history of innovation.
Inventors
The National Archives at Kansas City holds over 4.5 million patent case files and related records. You can submit a request for these records through the website for a small fee. The National Archives at Kansas City will also gladly accept your request through the mail or e-mail.
Many of our everyday inventions came from Kansas City. Samuel Coffman invented electric clippers, and Marion Trazzolo patented the Teflon-coated frying pan (known today as a “Happy Pan”). Walt Disney also lived in Kansas City and kept a live mouse as a pet. This mouse became the inspiration for the Mickey Mouse cartoon character.
Another famous Kansas City inventor was George C. Hale, who was the city’s fire chief from 1882 to 1902. He held more than 60 patents for firefighting equipment. One of his patents was for an automatic fire alarm, which alerted the city’s fire station of a fire. This system improved the speed of fire service by notifying the fire department of the emergency.
The museum also features works by African American inventors. This exhibition includes works from the 1800s to the present. The exhibit features inventions in the areas of healthcare, entertainment, technology, and youth inventions. The Institute of Black Invention and Technology developed this exhibit.
The city is a hub of innovation and has a history of inspiring young people to create innovative products. Many companies have sprung up in the area and are expanding to other parts of the country. Innovators from Kansas City have the potential to change the world. If you’re a young inventor looking for an entrepreneurial opportunity, consider attending an event sponsored by the City of Kansas City.
An example of a case involving a Kansas City-based university is the settlement between the University of Missouri-Kansas City and Ashim Mitra. Mitra made millions of dollars selling Cholkar’s research and patents, but the University of Missouri-Kansass City claimed he didn’t have the rights to the patents.
Patents are property rights that protect the inventor. Once granted, a patent gives an inventor exclusive rights to manufacture and sell the claimed invention. A patent holder must disclose the invention to protect it. If a competitor infringes on a patent, he or she can sue in court for damages.
Inventors in Kansas City
The city of Kansas City has many famous residents who are inventors or have created valuable inventions. For example, Stanley H. Durwood was responsible for the invention of the first twin multiplex theater. The company he founded was named American Multi-Cinema and later became AMC Entertainment. The company is now the nation’s largest movie theater company. A number of local inventors are also responsible for the development of various products that have been used in the world.
A museum in the city of Kansas City showcases the work of African American inventors. The exhibit features works from the 1800s to the present day. It features inventions in the fields of healthcare, entertainment, and technology. It also features a section that highlights the works of youth inventors.
In 1882, George C. Hale, a Kansas City fire chief, patented more than 60 inventions in the field of firefighting. His inventions include the automatic fire alarm. This system alerted the city’s fire station to the location of a fire and improved the speed of firefighting.
Kelly Ann Greene, a 17-year-old from Kansas City, Missouri, has just won a national invention contest. She has patented a product called the “baby saver.” The “baby saver” attaches to a car seat and uses GPS and cellular technology to alert the parents of a baby left in a hot car. Greene was mentored by the Linda Hall Library in Kansas City, which hosts the KC Invention Convention.
The city of Kansas City is also home to many inventors. The city is also home to the inventor of the “bumper sticker.” The first one was created in the 1940s using fluorescent paint and adhesive-backed paper. Initially, they were called “bumper strips.”
The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s school of pharmacy, Ashim Mitra, is among them. Mitra allegedly received $1.5 million from the sale of his research and could have earned millions more if royalties had been distributed to him. Mitra sold Cholkar’s research to a company called Auven Therapeutics Management, which in turn resold the invention to Sun Pharmaceutical Industries in India for $40 million.
Another popular Kansas City native is Bob Bernstein, an advertising mogul. Bernstein’s Happy Meal, a kid’s meal at McDonald’s, has a toy inside the cardboard box. The idea for the Happy Meal came from the advertising genius Bob Bernstein, who grew up in Kansas City. His invention has spanned the globe, and he is still responsible for the wildly successful burger chain today.
UMKC’s research programs are largely supported by the public, and the public deserves the best return for its investment. As a result, university inventors often report satisfaction in seeing their work translate into tangible benefits for society. In addition, increased contact with industry also improves the relevance of university teaching programs and increases students’ opportunities for employment and internships.
If you are in Kansas City, KS and are interested in filing a patent for your invention, working with a patent law attorney will help you avoid common pitfalls and secure your patent faster. Incomplete information, improper summation of the invention, and other omissions can all result in a weak patent application. An experienced Kansas City patent attorney will be able to help you navigate every aspect of the patent application process. In addition to helping you secure your patent, a patent attorney can also assist you in identifying and patenting the facets of your invention.