raising ships with ping pong balls

[Dan Shane]

HARRY SAYS:

> I don't think it works that way. Barks made this "invention"
> public (without
> claiming a patent at the time).
> You can't request a patent on public knowledge (even if you made it public
> yourself).

BUT I'M NOT SO SURE:

I know that a fellow found out no one ever actually patented the wheel, so
he was awarded the patent by the US Patent Office.  However, because it had
been in common use, he could not profit demand a licensing fee.  Maybe
that's what you meant.

Dan