December 15, 2007

Lineage of Patents

My family has a long and, when you include my great-grandfather I must add, impressive lineage of patents on my paternal side.

My patents:

My paternal uncle, Stewart Smithline's patents:

My father, Edward Smithline, Edward Smithline's patents:

My paternal3 great-grandfather, Dr. Jacob Smithline has basically invented the modern stethoscope with these two patents. Perhaps more impressively, he did this without making any serious money on them:
  • US Patent #2,271,467: Describes how to get two different types of stethoscope heads onto a single stethoscope. This is rarely if ever used. More importantly, although considered secondary in the patent, the basic tubing of the stethoscope used to be "V" shaped and went to a "Y" shape. Virtually every modern sthethoscope uses the "Y" shaped tubing.
  • US Patent #2719594: Describes how putting a small hole in the back of the stethoscope allows hearing different frequencies. While you probably have never noticed, there are hardly any stethescopes that do not have this hole. Look next time you are at the doctor's office.

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Last modified on May 3, 2008 23:25