The Ford Barn

Compotato · 01-06-2011, 11:29 AM

I posted this photo earlier and finally got permission to publish it in its entirety. We are coming up on the 100th anniversary of Ford's victorious challenge of the Seldon patent. Razelmond A. Parker successfully defended Ford in the lawsuit that eventually declared Seldon's patent invalid, due in large part to Seldon's inability to come up with a practical working model.This photo was taken at the Parker farm about the time of the twenty fifth anniversary of the original Ford Quadricycle. That would put it around 1921. Razelmond A. Parker on the left and Henry Ford on the right are sitting in a 1902 steam powered Locomobile (which may explain the scowl on Ford's face). Note the flat tires that indicate that this was a staged photo op. Thanks again to the members here who assisted in the research.

LukeDahlinger · 01-06-2011, 01:21 PM

That's a great photo!!!!

SamIyam · 01-06-2011, 02:32 PM

What was Seldon's patent on? What did he not build a model of?

Sam

Compotato · 01-06-2011, 03:36 PM

Selden (an attorney, not an inventor) held a patent on the "Road Engine" and initially won his suit allowing him to threaten, then shakedown anybody who produced a carriage propelled by an engine. Ford won on appeal when he proved the Selden design was not practical and Selden could not produce a practical working model of his patent for the court. This broke Selden's stranglehold on the fledgeling auto industry in the U.S.

LukeDahlinger · 01-06-2011, 04:19 PM

Wasn't his car front wheel drive too?

Compotato · 01-07-2011, 12:45 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Yes, it looks like it was front wheel drive according to the original patent drawings, but as the article explains below, Selden expanded his claims and dragged out the patent application process for so long that he was able to extort royalties from just about anyone who dared to produce anything that looked like an automobile in the U.S. Ford and a few others decided not to play along. Although it is not a requirement to produce a working model to receive a patent, in a courtroom you may have to produce a working model to defend your patent from being declared invalid.

Compotato · 01-07-2011, 12:45 PM

http://inventors.about.com/library/w...arsseldona.htm

SamIyam · 01-24-2011, 04:29 PM

Wow... very interesting!

Sam

01-06-2011, 11:29 AM	#1
Compotato Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 18	Old Ford Photo I posted this photo earlier and finally got permission to publish it in its entirety. We are coming up on the 100th anniversary of Ford's victorious challenge of the Seldon patent. Razelmond A. Parker successfully defended Ford in the lawsuit that eventually declared Seldon's patent invalid, due in large part to Seldon's inability to come up with a practical working model.This photo was taken at the Parker farm about the time of the twenty fifth anniversary of the original Ford Quadricycle. That would put it around 1921. Razelmond A. Parker on the left and Henry Ford on the right are sitting in a 1902 steam powered Locomobile (which may explain the scowl on Ford's face). Note the flat tires that indicate that this was a staged photo op. Thanks again to the members here who assisted in the research.

01-06-2011, 01:21 PM	#2
LukeDahlinger BANNED Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 956	Re: Old Ford Photo That's a great photo!!!! __________________ Wanted- Feb. 1931 Parts Price List www.vintagefordfacts.blogspot.com

01-06-2011, 02:32 PM	#3
SamIyam Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: 45 minutes East of Frisco Posts: 43	Re: Old Ford Photo What was Seldon's patent on? What did he not build a model of? Sam __________________ signature edited by moderator... because it was too dang funny!

01-06-2011, 03:36 PM	#4
Compotato Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 18	Re: Old Ford Photo Selden (an attorney, not an inventor) held a patent on the "Road Engine" and initially won his suit allowing him to threaten, then shakedown anybody who produced a carriage propelled by an engine. Ford won on appeal when he proved the Selden design was not practical and Selden could not produce a practical working model of his patent for the court. This broke Selden's stranglehold on the fledgeling auto industry in the U.S.

01-06-2011, 04:19 PM	#5
LukeDahlinger BANNED Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 956	Re: Old Ford Photo Wasn't his car front wheel drive too? __________________ Wanted- Feb. 1931 Parts Price List www.vintagefordfacts.blogspot.com

01-07-2011, 12:45 PM	#6
Compotato Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 18	Re: Old Ford Photo Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Yes, it looks like it was front wheel drive according to the original patent drawings, but as the article explains below, Selden expanded his claims and dragged out the patent application process for so long that he was able to extort royalties from just about anyone who dared to produce anything that looked like an automobile in the U.S. Ford and a few others decided not to play along. Although it is not a requirement to produce a working model to receive a patent, in a courtroom you may have to produce a working model to defend your patent from being declared invalid.

01-07-2011, 12:45 PM	#7
Compotato Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 18	Re: Old Ford Photo http://inventors.about.com/library/w...arsseldona.htm

01-24-2011, 04:29 PM	#8
SamIyam Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: 45 minutes East of Frisco Posts: 43	Re: Old Ford Photo Wow... very interesting! Sam __________________ signature edited by moderator... because it was too dang funny!