Connecticut inventions
20 THINGS CREATED OR PATENTED IN THE NUTMEG STATE
From the Polaroid camera to the Wiffle Ball, Connecticut residents can pride themselves on having an inventive state. Recently, the pandemic fostered some creativity with locals creating everything from masks for the hearing impaired to tiny ones for Elf on the Shelf.
In 2020 alone, Connecticut was issued 3,563 patent grants by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. And in 2019, Connecticut ranked No. 4 in the list of states with most patents per person — after Massachusetts, California and Washington, according to data by the USPTO. In 2020, that ranking dipped to 15. Typically, the patent process takes anywhere between two to five years, according to Patent Attorney John Yankovich.
"There is a lot of patenting going on from Connecticut corporations," said Yankovich.
Today, Connecticut has 29,678 active patents, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark database. And
while many of these are new inventions or ideas by companies based in Connecticut, many are also from day-today items that were invented as far back as the 1800s.
Here are some of the inventions or patents that originated in Connecticut throughout the years.
Frisbee
The invention of the Frisbee, by Walter Frederick Morrison and Warren Franscioni, has its beginning in the former Frisbie Pie Company located in Bridgeport. Students from nearby universities would gather and throw empty Frisbie pie tins since the company’s beginning in 1871. In 1948, Morrison and Franscioini invented a plastic version and called it “Flying Saucer,” but in 1955 the invention was sold to Wham-O as the “Pluto Platter." Wham-O, now owned by Mattel Toy Manufacturers, changed its name to “Frisbee disc," misspelling the pie company’s name.
Helicopter
The first practical helicopter took a flight in Stratford on Sept. 14, 1939. The helicopter was designed by Igor Sikorsky and built by the Vought-Sikorsky Aircraft Division of the United Aircraft Corporation, according to ConnecticutHistory.org. Sikorsky’s helicopter was the first to have a single main rotor and tail rotor design.
Colt firearm
Invented by Hartfordnative Samuel Colt, the Colt firearm was the first gun that fired multiple times without reloading, according to PBS. The Colt firearm was used in the U.S. Civil War, the Texas Revolution and the Mexican American War.
Sewing machine
While the sewing machine was not invented in Connecticut, inventor Elias Howe Jr, was the first person to obtain a U.S. patent for it in 1846, according to Connecticut’s State Historian. Howe’s patent has a “lockstitch" and was the first to feature the automatic thread feed that continues to be used to this day.
Pay phones
Connecticut residents can find a sign in downtown Hartford on the corner of Main Street and Central Row where the world’s first pay telephone was placed back in 1889. The pay phone was invented by Simsbry native William Gray and developed by George A. Long. According to the Connecticut Historical Society, the idea was conceived in 1887 when Gray’s wife was ill and he was not able to call a doctor.
Chest protector for baseball
William Gray, who also invented the payphone, designed a baseball chest protector in 1884, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. While Charlie Bennett was the first major league catcher to wear a chest protector, Gray’s design was the first patented and it is the most similar design to what players use today, according to the Society for American Baseball Research.
Polaroid camera
Bridgeport-native Edwin Herbert Land invented the system of instant photography, known as Polaroid. According to the American Chemical Society, Land’s idea came after a vacation with his daughter in Santa Fe. Land founded the Polaroid Corporation, where he served as a President for 50 years, as well as The Rowland Institute at Harvard.
Portable typewriter
The first U.S. patent for a portable typewriter was issued by Stamford-native George C. Blickensderfer, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The machine reduced the moving parts of the machine from 2,500 to 250, which decreased its weight by a fourth and made it portable.
Hamburger
There is dispute as to who invented the first hamburger, mostly because its concept can be traced back to ancient history. However, according to the Library of Congress, with the efforts of U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro,
it was New Haven resident Louis Lassen who created the first hamburger. Lassen is credited with creating the hamburger in 1900 in his restaurant Louis’ Launch, where his family continues to serve hamburgers today. However, recent findings may debunk this claim.
Submarine
Westbrook-native David Bushnell was responsible for the creation of the first submarine, which launched in the fall of 1776, according to ConnecticutHistory.com. The first submarine was known as “Turtle.”
'Lolly Pop'
The name “Lolly Pop” was registered by the Bradley Smith Company in New Haven by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The company started producing the candy in 1908, however, it took them years to receive the patent given that “lollipop” is a generic term today, according to ConnecticutHistory.org. While the trademark doesn’t stand today because of the common use of the term, George Smith was the first to apply the term for a hard candy on a stick.
Scrabble
Newtown resident James Brunot copyrighted the spelling game Scrabble on 1948. While the game was designed in 1931 by architect Alfred Mosher Butts under the name Lexico, Brunot made improvements to the game and paid Butts royalties for his idea, according to ConnecticutHistory.org.
Wiffle Ball
The Wiffle Ball was invented by Fairfield resident David N. Mullany in 1953, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The inspiration for the famous ball was when Mullany saw his son and a friend playing baseball in his backyard, according to ConnecticutHistory.org. The ball became a success and Mullany created The Wiffle Ball Factory, located in Shelton.
Can opener
The first can opener was invented by Waterburynative Ezra J. Warner on 1858. Warner’s can opener became very popular during the Civil War and was a “breakthrough instrument in the canned-food revolution,” according to Connecticut Magazine.
Anesthesia
Anesthesia was discovered by Hartford-based dentist Horace Wells in 1844, according to the Connecticut Historical Society. The discovery happened after Wells attended a “laughing gas” demonstration at Union Hall in Hartford. This demonstration was a form of entertainment during which participants inhaled gas that caused them to “laugh, sing, dance or fight.” During the demonstration, someone in the public got hurt but didn’t seem to feel it. The next day, Wells conducted an experiment with using the gas before extracting a wisdom teeth, according to ConnecticutHistory.org.
Flight
For many years, the Wright brothers were credited for being the first in flight. However, new research emerged with the theory that Connecticut resident Gustave Whitehead was responsible for the first powered and controlled flight. However, there is still need for more evidence to prove that Whitehead was in fact the first one to fly. And on the 120th anniversary of Whitehead’s alleged achievement, a replica of the German immigrant’s No. 21 “Condor” aircraft is on display Sunday, Aug. 15 at the Connecticut Air and Space Center at Sikorsky Airport in Stratford.
Non-bend hair clip
Stamford-based Kristen L. Hinds invented the traceless non bend hair clips. The patent is currently held by Stamford-based Conair, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Hutzler’s Cake leveler
Hutzler Manufacturing Co., based in Canaan has had the patent for a cake layer slicer since May, 2021, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Wireless Audio Guide
Stamford-based Harman International Industries, Inc. (now owned by Samsung) received the patent for a Wireless Audio Guide in June, 2021, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The system can be used in an exhibition area, such as a museum.
Table saw
New Britain-based Black & Decker Inc., holds the patent for an improved table saw, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.