Many inventors have created products that became household names, yet their financial rewards often fell short of their creations’ commercial success. The stories of these innovators reveal a stark contrast between the impact of their inventions and the monetary compensation they received.
Anthony Pratt, the mind behind the iconic board game Cluedo, was paid only £5,000 for his idea in 1965. Developed during World War II in his Birmingham home, the game was initially called Murder and was inspired by his experiences as a musician. Despite Cluedo becoming the second best-selling board game ever, Pratt’s financial gain was minimal compared to the millions generated since its release in 1949. His daughter, Marcia Lewis, stated that her father did not regret the financial decision, valuing the joy his game brought to people.
Another notable figure, James Moylan, who passed away at the age of 80, made a significant contribution to the automotive industry by proposing an arrow on vehicle dashboards to indicate the fuel tank’s side. This idea, presented in an internal memo at Ford in 1986, became a standard feature within three years. Moylan’s design was acknowledged by the company’s leadership, but he valued the friendships he made over financial gain.
The historical narrative is filled with inventors who failed to capitalize on their groundbreaking ideas. Research by Lightbringer estimates that British inventors collectively missed out on potential earnings worth millions. For example, the flying shuttle, patented by John Kay in 1733, revolutionized weaving but left him in poverty due to manufacturers resisting his licensing fees. His lost earnings would amount to an estimated £100 million today.
Similarly, Sir James Dewar, who invented the vacuum flask in 1892, never patented his creation, allowing others to profit from the Thermos brand. His failure to secure a patent cost him an estimated £60 million in today’s money. Another inventor, Alexander Bain, created the first electric clock in the 1840s but faced prolonged legal battles that drained his finances. Lightbringer estimates his lost earnings to be around £30 million.
The story of the tin can is another striking example. Peter Durand patented the concept in 1810 but sold the rights for a mere £1,000 two years later. This decision allowed others to establish the first commercial canning factory, leading to immense profits that Durand missed out on.
While some inventors saw little financial success, others managed to turn their ideas into lucrative enterprises. The board game Monopoly, for instance, traces its origins to Elizabeth Magie, who created The Landlord’s Game in 1902 to critique private property ownership. Despite filing a legal claim in 1903, she received just $500, while Charles Darrow and Parker Brothers later profited significantly from the game.
In the realm of technology, Alexey Pajitnov developed Tetris in 1984 while working for the Soviet Union’s Academy of Science. It was only after the Soviet Union’s collapse that he could profit from his creation, missing out on an estimated $30 million during its initial success with the Nintendo Game Boy.
Other inventors like Sir Christopher Cockerell, creator of the hovercraft, and Trevor Baylis, known for the wind-up radio, also faced challenges in monetizing their innovations due to their employment circumstances. Cockerell received only £5,000 for his hovercraft design, while Baylis struggled with manufacturers altering his design and securing new patents.
The ballpoint pen, pioneered by László Bíró in 1938, also highlights the struggle of inventors. After fleeing Hungary during World War II, Bíró sold his patent to Marcel Bich, who went on to sell hundreds of millions of pens. Bíró received approximately $2 million for his invention, a fraction of what it generated in sales.
The computer mouse, developed by Douglas Engelbart in 1970, was patented by Stanford Research Institute, yielding Engelbart limited financial benefits. Despite licensing the patent to Apple for around $40,000, Engelbart’s original vision contributed significantly to modern computing.
The karaoke machine’s invention is attributed to Daisuke Inoue and Shigeichi Negishi, both of whom created music playback machines without securing patents, resulting in lost profits as competitors emerged. Inoue’s creation came in 1971, while Negishi’s Sparko Box followed in 1967.
While many inventors faced financial misfortune, some, like Frank Hornby with Meccano and Ole Kirk Christiansen with Lego, enjoyed significant commercial success from their creations. Hornby transitioned from a cashier to a millionaire through his toy inventions, while Lego grew into a global brand, generating £8.7 billion in revenue last year.
The stories of these inventors underscore the complexities of innovation and the necessity of protecting intellectual property. As Dominic Davies, co-founder of Lightbringer, stated, “Innovation has always driven progress,” yet the challenges of securing patents have historically hindered many talented individuals from reaping the rewards of their ingenuity.
