They often make it look so easy when celebrities entertain us in their movies, songs and dance routines. What we fail to typically appreciate are the intense production aspects behind what we see and hear. Many celebrities are involved in the production of their own works. On occasion, their involvement has led to unique innovations, some of which we can read about in granted patents. In a patent, an invention must be described in such a manner that others can read and understand what the invention is about. Using a “Google Patents” search, the ordinary citizen can search and read about inventions created by celebs.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson obtained U.S. Patent No. 5,255,452 for a “Method and Means for Creating Anti-Gravity Illusion” used in his famous “Smooth Criminal” dance routine. The illusion that Michael Jackson wanted to create was a dancer leaning forward beyond the dancer’s center of gravity. The patent was granted on a system that engages the dancer’s shoes and permits the dancer to lean forward beyond the dancer’s center of gravity in a stable manner. A video of this can be viewed at here and of course a copy of the patent can be obtained on https://patents.google.com/.
Neil Young
Neil Young is a great songwriter and singer (primarily folk rock in the1960s) and was later known as the “Godfather of Grunge.” He is credited on a number of websites with an unlocatable U.S. patent relating to a music player for high quality uncompressed digital audio, which was sold under the brand “PONOPLAYER.” However, not to be disappointed, his versatility and creativity is shown as a co-inventor on seven very locatable U.S. patents (7,264,208; 7,211,976; 6,765,356;5,749,547; 5,555,815; 5,441,223; and 5,251,856) relating to model trains of all things. He was also part owner of Lionel, LLC, which was a well-known company that made toy trains and model railroad accessories.
Eddie Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen – a great rock guitarist – was also an innovator and patent owner in his guitar playing field. Van Halen developed a well-known guitar tapping technique which can be viewed on YouTube, showing how to perform his tapping technique and the unique sound that it produces. His patent relates to a support which leaves both hands free to perform the tapping technique (U.S. Patent No. 4,656,917). Van Halen also holds other patents relating to guitar design such as U.S. Patent No. 7,183,475 for a “stringed instrument with adjustable string tension control,” and U.S. Design Patent No. D388,117 for “the ornamental design of a guitar peghead.”
Prince
Prince is the holder of U.S. Design Patent No. D349,127 for a “Portable, Electronic Keyboard Musical Instrument.” This design patent pertains to his custom keytar, known as the “Purpleaxxe,” which features a distinctive shape inspired by his unique symbol.
Harry Connick Jr.
Harry Connick Jr., a widely recognized musician and actor, had the most notable Grammy nominated platinum album, “Only You,” of “cover” songs from the 1920s to the 1960s. He led his big band with his piano playing through these cover songs. He was granted U.S. Patent No. 6,348,648 for a “System and method for coordinating music display among players in an orchestra.” This invention facilitates the digital display and coordination of sheet music for orchestral musicians, enhancing real-time collaboration during performances.
Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando, who was most notably known for his acting, was an occasional singer. He started out as a heart throb actor (“The Wild One” (1953)) but then became known for his serious acting, winning the Best Actor Academy Award for the movie “The Godfather” (1972). His innovative contribution is described in
U.S. Patent No. 6,812,392 for a “Drumhead Tensioning Device” to adjust drumhead tension in percussion instruments. For those too young to recall “The Godfather,” it served as inspiration for the series “The Sopranos.” And, if you’re too young to recall “The Sopranos,” well thank you for getting through the last line of this article.
