"Private" wrote in message
news:urkGh.1219037$R63.505948@pd7urf1no...

"Paul Tomblin" wrote in message
...
In a previous article, "Private" said:
they are superior to the Phillips in every way. IIRC there is some real
historical chauvinism that resulted in the use of the Phillips design in
the
USA and the rejection of the superior Robertson.

"historical chauvinism" is sometimes spelt "high licensing fees".


IIRC this was part of the problem in this case. I suspect that any patent
would have expired by now, but perhaps there is a surviving copyright.

Happy landings,


From Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robertson_screwdriver
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P.L._Robertson

I note that Robertson was having the same kind of legal problems protecting
his invention as the Wrights were having at the same time. Today we realize
that he would perhaps have been smarter to give away the license to use the
screws and to retain the license for the drivers.

Also of interest and on topic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Good_Turn

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillips_Head

Happy landings,