Timing of the Knudsen patent transfer and Walter Ruby's death

Timing of the Knudsen patent transfer and Walter Ruby's death

• Jul 19, 2013
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We don't have any information suggesting a connection between Walter Ruby's corkscrew patent and his subsequent death. On face value, the successful sale of his idea would seem to have been only good news for Walter and his business prospects.

Nevertheless, the proximity of the dates is striking. Knud Knudsen received his picnic corkscrew patent on June 27, 1939 and Walter died three weeks later on July 22. Of course the agreement they reached and payments made must have preceded the June date by several months, allowing for bureaucratic lag at the Patent Office.