The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-23
IN AN INVENTORS FAVOR.
Designer of Spherical ProjectiIes to
Have n Hearing.

Designer of Spherical ProjectiIes to
Have Hearing.
The Committee on Patents Of the Sen
ate has presented favorable report on
the bill. referring TO the Court of Claims
the claim Of William L. Woodbridge. OF
Washington, for compensation by the
United States for the use of his inventiOn
relating to projectiIes. for which letters
patent were ordered issued to him March
%. 1852.
The report Of the committee says; The
records before the committee show that
the invention OF Dr. Woodbridge, to which
this bill relates. was made known by him
TO the Ordnance Department in the year
1850, and that in the fall Of that year
series OF experiments with his projectiles
was conducted at Fort Monroe. certified
copy OF the record or these experiments
being furnished by the War Department
The new projectiles were shown to be SUI
perior to spherical prosectiles (the only
ones then in use), in accuracy and pene-
trative power and in capabIIity Of explOd-
ing upon impact By the employment of
percussion fuses.
Or Woodbridge also communicated to
the public a knowledge OF his invention
by means OF a descriptive pamphlet. fully
illustrated. published in 1852, giving an &C
count Of the firing at Fort Monroe. with a
statement Of the advantages 20 be derived
from the use or rife projectiies for can
non. now universally admitted. but then
rarely conceded or recognized as practi-
cable
In the meantime ne had applied for a
patent FOR his invention. and patent vas
ordered 20 issue on March %. 1852. In ac-
oordanee with the practice then prevailing
when il was desired by patentee to take
| out foreign patent the applicant requested
that the patent might be filed in the Sc
e-et archives OF the Office. designating enc
ear as the period for which IL should be
I 50 retained il designation Of time was
necessary
When however D. Woodbridge suisse
I quentiy called for the issue OF his patent
/ il was refused upon the ground that his
| delay had deprived him Of his right and
/ that his patent could not legally be is
! sued, reference being made in support OF
: this view 20 a rule made by Commission
/ er subsequent to Mr. Ewb8nk that no op-
! plication upon which a patent has been or
! Jered TO issue shall be retained in Tie So
/ CreJ archives more than six months from
/ The day on which the patent was ordered
! 10 issue.
! 1t would seem that this rule should lie
I considered as directed 10 the guidance OF
/ the action OF the Office itself rather than
! for the control Of an applicant who cluld
have 10 power In the premises.
! Nothing seems 10 have been wanting en-
the part OF the inventor 20 make the in
! vputi-n available TO the Government lie
I early conveyed TO the proper Department
[ q practical kroNledge OF his invention and
1 made strenuous efforts 70 introduce il into
service-seekirg. also, Congressional aid
TO extend its application to guns Of TIE
/ largest calibre. Hi5 subsequent publish
ed description and account Ct the firing AZ
! FCu Monroe was widely circulated among
I members Of Congress. officers OF the Army
I and Navy. ard others and was Placed in
! various Libraries. Though the invention
had appeared too early 10 be at once appre-
! Cisted be- had made il available for all
/ subsequent time.
Modification Of W0odt=idge's projectHe
. might be. and doubtless were, patented by
( others, but IT. is obvious that only The
Z Modification could be the subject Cf a valid
I patent. and that DO could not restrict the
use of the invention In any other form
/ In no other way could the Government
have been more fully protected against
false or invalid claims for its use thar
( by the reCitef acts of the inventor.
The justice CT Or. WUOdbridge's claim
Is supported by the honorable Secretary OF
/ War and by the Chief of Ordnance II
has also been recognized in fifteen PIE
viOus unanimous reports made by commit
[ tees of the Senate snS House Of Repre-
( seEtatives in favor OF bills substantially
the same rs the one now before shis COM
mittec. three OF which hills passed the
Senate without a dissenting voice. II Is
I evident to the committee that Dr Wood
bridges invention vas largely used BY t1t
Government ard they believe that bot
justice and sound polisy require that &,
should be duly compensated for lis use
He has thus far received nc remuneration
such a reference 10 the Court Of Claim
as he seeks seems emiGentIy Just and III,
committee reports back said bill with rec
concentration that &c pass"