Complex sentence: In 1954, he applied for patent No.2,988,237 for "Universal Automation" or Unimation, which was issued in 1961, coining the word (at the suggestion of his wife, Evelyn) to define the product much as George Eastman had coined Kodak.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1954, he applied for patent No.2,988,237 for "Universal Automation" or Unimation, which was issued in 1961. At the suggestion of Devol's wife, Evelyn, the word "Unimate" was coined to define the product much the same as George Eastman had coined Kodak.