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- Alan Rothschild's fiorfie "contaS a museuri* With the 9
world's largest viewable colL»c<lln of patent models.®
“Every one of these patent models belonged to an individual
with hopes and dreams of possibly making it rich, possibly
changing the world," Rothschild says. “It would be great to talk
to some of these people, but the second best thing we have is
holding and touching their inventions."
Space requirements forced the U.S. government to sell its
collection of patent models in 1925. More than 10,000 went to
the Smithsonian Institution, which put most of them into stor
age, only bringing out a few at a time for public display. Thou
sands of others were bought by private collectors. Rothschild, a
self-described "frustrated inventor," purchased one of the large
private collections in the early 1990 s from Cliff Petersen. Roth
schild incorporated Petersens name into the Rothschild Petersen
Patent Model Museum when it opened in 1998.
“IVe been a collector my whole life, starting with a 1930 Model
A Ford as a teen,” says Rothschild, who stumbled across some
patent models at an antique show in 1990 and began a quest to
learn more about the tiny treasures.
The museum is open for tours by appointment only. In addi
tion to some 800 models displayed in the gallery, thousands
more line long rows of shelves in Rothchild’s basement and over
flow into boxes. Most of the models were created by professional
model makers commissioned by individual inventors.
Rothschild enthusiastically guides visitors through his col
lection, displaying his encyclopedic knowledge of U.S. patent
history and the individual models. Each of the models has its
original patent tag, attached by government-issue red twill tape.
“That’s where the phrase ‘red tape - comes from,” he explains.
Many of the models are amazingly detailed. One of Roth
schilds favorites is a life-preserving stateroom created in 1858 to
sit on the deck of a ship and float if the vessel sank. Others are
less flashy, but no less important.
“One of the most significant inventions in the collection—and
one of the least visual—is Nelson Goodyears Improvement in
the Manufacture of India-Rubber, the patent for the hardening
of vulcanized rubber by Charles Goodyear’s younger brother,”
Rothschild says, pointing to the patent. “Telephones, bowling
balls, insulators, toothbrushes, combs . . . Basically, it was the
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beginning of the plastics industry.” MSjia >.
Another of Rothschilds favorites is the Pigeon Starter.
This inventor came up with a brilliant idea of making a /
spring-loaded catlike animal to scare pigeons inm flight,” \
he explains, adding that later, when the government
banned pigeon shooting for sport, another enterprising
inventor devised a clay disc—the “clay pigeon”—still \\'
in use today in the sport of trapshooting. .w\
By sharing his passion for patents, Rothschild hopes
to inspire a future generation of inventors. “Inventing is * Thjs patent tag
trying to find a solution to do something a better way or a \ for “Mechanical
newer way," he says. “Everybody can be an inventor, and I believe it Movements”
can be learned. I call it growing inventors,’ and the country needs that." is near,y 130
' ~ years old.
Photos by Jonathan Cohen
Ami Hates is a writer based m Hartland. Wis.
Click on this story at americanprofile.com for more information and photos.
Legal Notice From The United States District Court
For The Eastern District Of Tennessee At Knoxville
If you bought certain recalled Diamond Pet
Food Products in 2005, you may be entitled
to a payment from a legal settlement.
A settlement has been reached in a class action
lawsuit about certain Diamond Pet Food products. The
settlement provides for an amount of up to 53.1 million to
pay consumers who purchased recalled Diamond Pet Food
products, and to compensate dog owners whose dogs were
injured by eating Diamond Pet Food products.
WHO’S INCLUDED?
You are a Class Member if you bought recalled
Diamond Brand or Country Value Brand Pet Food product
in 2005, and did not return the food for a refund. You are
additionally a class member if your dog was injured or if
you incurred a veterinary bill as a result of your dog eating
Diamond Brand Dog Food.
WHAT IS THIS CASE ABOUT?
The lawsuit has alleged that Diamond Pet Foods
initiated a recall of certain products in December of 2005.
and that certain consumers have not received a refund for
recalled food. The lawsuit also alleges that certain dog food
manufactured by Diamond contained aflatoxin and that
dogs were injured and/or their owners incurred veterinary
bills because of the food.
Diamond denies that the plaintiff is entitled to the
relief sought. The settlement is neither an admission of
wrongdoing nor an indication that Diamond violated any
laws. A court has not made any findings as to which side is
right in the case. The settlement is designed to resolve the
case.
WHAT DOES THE SETTLEMENT PROVIDE?
Diamond has agreed to create a settlement fund of
up to 53.1 million to pay for valid claims and for attorneys’
fees, costs, and expenses as may be established by the
court. Tile settlement agreement, available at the website,
describes the details of the settlement.
The settlement provides that consumers who
purchased recalled dog food and did not already return it
for a refund may receive money, provided the class member
establishes that he or she purchased recalled Diamond Dog
1-800-960-6651
Food and did not return it. Additionally, the settlement fund
provides that class members who submit a valid claim
showing that their dog was injured or that they incurred a
veterinary bill as a result of Diamond Dog Food will be
entitled to a payment for veterinary expenses. The
settlement also provides that Diamond will pay attorneys’
fees, costs, and expenses incurred in this lawsuit.
HOW DO YOU ASK FOR A PAYMENT?
Call the number listed below or go to the website to
obtain a claim form, or send a request to the address below
and a notice and claim form will be sent to you. If you
believe you are a class member, fill out the claim form and
mail it to the address below. All claims must be postmarked
by April 15, 2008.
WHAT ARE YOUR OTHER OPTIONS?
If you don’t want to be legally bound by the
settlement, you must exclude yourself by March 16.2008
or you will not be able to sue Diamond about these claims
ever again. If you exclude yourself, you will not gel any
money from the settlement. To exclude yourself, you must
send a letter by mail stating that you want to be excluded.
You must include your name, address, telephone number
and signature. You must mail your request to: Diamond
Pet Food Settlement, c/o The Garden City Group. Inc.. P.O.
Box 9214. Dublin, OH 43017-4614. If you stay in this
settlement class, and you wish to object to the settlement,
you must notify the court of your intent to object by
February 26. 2008. The website explains how to exclude
yourself or how to object to the settlement.
The court will hold a fairness hearing on March 26.2008
at 1:30 p.m. to consider whether to approve the settlement and
a request for attorneys’ fees by the lawyers representing the
class members. The lawyers representing class members are
requesting a fee of $465,000.00. and expenses of $10,735.00
from the settlement fund. This is only a summary
of the settlement agreement. To leam more about the
settlement, call toll free 1-800-960-6651. go to the website,
and/or write to Diamond Pet Food Settlement, c/o The Garden
City Group, Inc., P.O. Box 9214, Dublin. OH 43017-4614.
www.RecalledPetFoodSettJement.com