"Two Guys From Barnum, Iowa And How They Helped Save Basketball"
New Book Tells Fascinating History of the Invention of the Slam Dunk Saving Break Away Basketball Goal; Invention Eliminated Cost of Replacing Broken Glass Backboards and Bent Rims; Allowed Game Play to Continue After Slam Dunks That Would Otherwise Have Broken Equipment and Caused an Interruption in Play.
Costa Mesa, CA, April 01, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Francois Press is proud to announce the publication of "Two Guys From Barnum, Iowa And How They Helped Save Basketball : A History Of U.S. Patent 4,534,556 : Paul D. Estlund And Kenneth F. Estlund, Inventors" by Francis B. Francois. The book tells the true story of the making and marketing of an invention by two American brothers who grew up on a farm in Iowa, about two miles from where the author grew up. They are credited by many with helping to save the great game of basketball in the last decades of the 20th century by making an invention and working to get it into widespread use in the NBA, NCAA, high schools and playgrounds across the country.
The co-inventors are brothers, with Ken being older than Paul. They grew up on a farm near Barnum, Iowa, as did the author, who served as their patent attorney. All three helped their fathers farm, and were well familiar with machinery, springs and other mechanical devices. This familiarity, along with a love for the game of basketball, would inspire them to save the world from bent rims and broken backboards.
The invention was made in 1976, but it wasn't until August 13, 1985 that the patent was issued. The book tells the back story of the many years of work that went into applying for the patent, and of the work involved in getting the invention manufactured and tested. It gives a behind the scenes view of the U.S. patent system, and what is involved in successfully prosecuting a patent application in the face of many challenges.
Beyond commercial success, the Estlunds’ invention has been important for the fans of basketball, especially fans of the professional and collegiate teams. With a few exceptions each year the days of broken backboards and bent basketball goal rims is over, and fans can enjoy the game with its often-spectacular slam dunk shots.
It is not an exaggeration to state that the Estlunds’ invention helped save basketball as a vital, enjoyable game.
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About Francis B. Francois
Francis B. “Frank” Francois began his professional career in the U.S. Patent Office in 1956 as a Patent Examiner after graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in engineering. Shortly after moving to Washington, D.C., Frank began attending night law school at The George Washington University. He moved on to become a patent advisor for the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University in 1959, was admitted to the Maryland bar in 1960, and practiced patent and trademark law with the firm of Bacon and Thomas from 1962–1980.
Frank entered politics in Prince George’s County, MD, in 1962, serving as Chief Judge on the Orphan’s Court, as County Commissioner and as County Councilman. He was twice elected President of the National Association of Regional Councils and in 1979–1980 was President of the National Association of Counties. In 1980, Frank became Executive Director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) where he remained until his retirement in 1999.
Frank was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1999, and in 2002 he was recognized with an honorary life membership in the Institute of Transportation Engineers. In 2003 Iowa State University presented him with the Marston Medal, its highest award for engineering achievement. In 2004 he was named by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) as one of America’s top 100 private-sector transportation design and construction professionals of the 20th century. Other honors and awards include the George S. Bartlett Award (1997), presented by AASHTO, ARTBA, and TRB; ITE's Theodore M. Matson Memorial Award (1993); and TRB’s W. N. Carey, Jr., Distinguished Service Award (1989).
This book will be of interest to fans of the game, lawyers, and inventors.
The book is currently available online from Amazon.com and Lulu.com
Ordering Web URL:
http://www.amazon.com/Guys-Barnum-Iowa-Helped-Basketball/dp/0615183425
http://www.lulu.com/content/1353745
Photo Links:
http://francois.org/bbimages/fbfrancois.jpg
http://francois.org/bbimages/bookcover.jpg
http://francois.org/bbimages/estlunds.jpg
Francois, Francis B. (2008). Two Guys From Barnum, Iowa And How They Helped Save Basketball : A History Of U.S. Patent 4,534,556 : Paul D. Estlund And Kenneth F. Estlund, Inventors. Francois Press.
ISBN-13: 978-0-6151-8342-8
The co-inventors are brothers, with Ken being older than Paul. They grew up on a farm near Barnum, Iowa, as did the author, who served as their patent attorney. All three helped their fathers farm, and were well familiar with machinery, springs and other mechanical devices. This familiarity, along with a love for the game of basketball, would inspire them to save the world from bent rims and broken backboards.
The invention was made in 1976, but it wasn't until August 13, 1985 that the patent was issued. The book tells the back story of the many years of work that went into applying for the patent, and of the work involved in getting the invention manufactured and tested. It gives a behind the scenes view of the U.S. patent system, and what is involved in successfully prosecuting a patent application in the face of many challenges.
Beyond commercial success, the Estlunds’ invention has been important for the fans of basketball, especially fans of the professional and collegiate teams. With a few exceptions each year the days of broken backboards and bent basketball goal rims is over, and fans can enjoy the game with its often-spectacular slam dunk shots.
It is not an exaggeration to state that the Estlunds’ invention helped save basketball as a vital, enjoyable game.
###
About Francis B. Francois
Francis B. “Frank” Francois began his professional career in the U.S. Patent Office in 1956 as a Patent Examiner after graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in engineering. Shortly after moving to Washington, D.C., Frank began attending night law school at The George Washington University. He moved on to become a patent advisor for the Applied Physics Laboratory at Johns Hopkins University in 1959, was admitted to the Maryland bar in 1960, and practiced patent and trademark law with the firm of Bacon and Thomas from 1962–1980.
Frank entered politics in Prince George’s County, MD, in 1962, serving as Chief Judge on the Orphan’s Court, as County Commissioner and as County Councilman. He was twice elected President of the National Association of Regional Councils and in 1979–1980 was President of the National Association of Counties. In 1980, Frank became Executive Director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) where he remained until his retirement in 1999.
Frank was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1999, and in 2002 he was recognized with an honorary life membership in the Institute of Transportation Engineers. In 2003 Iowa State University presented him with the Marston Medal, its highest award for engineering achievement. In 2004 he was named by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) as one of America’s top 100 private-sector transportation design and construction professionals of the 20th century. Other honors and awards include the George S. Bartlett Award (1997), presented by AASHTO, ARTBA, and TRB; ITE's Theodore M. Matson Memorial Award (1993); and TRB’s W. N. Carey, Jr., Distinguished Service Award (1989).
This book will be of interest to fans of the game, lawyers, and inventors.
The book is currently available online from Amazon.com and Lulu.com
Ordering Web URL:
http://www.amazon.com/Guys-Barnum-Iowa-Helped-Basketball/dp/0615183425
http://www.lulu.com/content/1353745
Photo Links:
http://francois.org/bbimages/fbfrancois.jpg
http://francois.org/bbimages/bookcover.jpg
http://francois.org/bbimages/estlunds.jpg
Francois, Francis B. (2008). Two Guys From Barnum, Iowa And How They Helped Save Basketball : A History Of U.S. Patent 4,534,556 : Paul D. Estlund And Kenneth F. Estlund, Inventors. Francois Press.
ISBN-13: 978-0-6151-8342-8
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Michael Francois
714-496-3370
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