Steve Van Dulken
Steve Van Dulken is a world-renowned expert on inventions and how they relate to businesses. He is a specialist in Britsh patent law having worked in the area for the British Library since 1987. His LaunchLab.co.uk columns will cover these topics as well as innovation design and copyright.
Steve has written or edited a number of books for the British Library, such as Inventing the 20th Century, Inventing the 19th Century and Inventing the American Dream, the last of which reflects his growing up in the United States. You can read more of Steve’s writing on the British Library website.
Articles
The business behind shakin' Santas
Novelty item shops are notorious for selling small shaking figures which presumably are meant as gifts or decorations – and this is particularly noticeable at Christmas. A company that specialises almost entirely in ...
By Steve Van Dulken on
Dec 16,2009
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Novelty item shops are notorious for selling small shaking figures which presumably are meant as gifts or decorations – and this is particularly noticeable at Christmas. A company that specialises almost entirely in ...
The X-bow on ships
Steve Van Dulken looks at inventions used to improve the design of ships to prevent major disasters like the Titanic reoccurring.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Sep 15,2009
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Steve Van Dulken looks at inventions used to improve the design of ships to prevent major disasters like the Titanic reoccurring.
Patenting magic tricks
Steve Van Dulken, our resident patents and copyright expert, discusses the thorny issue of protecting magic tricks with patents.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Aug 13,2009
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Steve Van Dulken, our resident patents and copyright expert, discusses the thorny issue of protecting magic tricks with patents.
Will King's King of Shaves
Steve Van Dulken, intellectual property expert at the British Library, takes a look at the popular British shaving brand 'King of Shaves' and inventor Will King.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Jul 30,2009
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Steve Van Dulken, intellectual property expert at the British Library, takes a look at the popular British shaving brand 'King of Shaves' and inventor Will King.
Ambush marketing
Steve Van Dulken, LaunchLab's resident copyright and trade mark expert wonders out-loud about the legality of ambush marketing, where one brand 'hijacks' a related brand's sponsorship deal.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Jul 16,2009
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Steve Van Dulken, LaunchLab's resident copyright and trade mark expert wonders out-loud about the legality of ambush marketing, where one brand 'hijacks' a related brand's sponsorship deal.
Uncovering the 'Jarkey'
Steve Van Dulken, LaunchLab's resident inventions and patents expert, investigates the 'Jarkey' - an invention that makes opening jars that little bit easier.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Jul 01,2009
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Steve Van Dulken, LaunchLab's resident inventions and patents expert, investigates the 'Jarkey' - an invention that makes opening jars that little bit easier.
Solving the shoelace problem
Steve Van Dulken, LaunchLab's resident inventions and patents expert, looks at the tricky problem of shoelaces that won't stay tied.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Jun 15,2009
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Steve Van Dulken, LaunchLab's resident inventions and patents expert, looks at the tricky problem of shoelaces that won't stay tied.
Microsoft's Magic Wand patent application
Steve Van Dulken looks at Microsoft's answer to the Nintendo Wii's revolutionary 'nunchuk' controller, the 'Magic Wand'. Does it stand up to scrutiny?
By Steve Van Dulken on
May 28,2009
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Steve Van Dulken looks at Microsoft's answer to the Nintendo Wii's revolutionary 'nunchuk' controller, the 'Magic Wand'. Does it stand up to scrutiny?
What is Cloud Computing and what are the benefits?
Cloud computing is the latest IT phenomenon to effect the business world. With the cost saving potential, cloud computing is becoming increasingly popular. But what is this new trend, what does it ...
By Steve Van Dulken on
May 08,2009
- Comments (2) - Rating (3 votes)
Cloud computing is the latest IT phenomenon to effect the business world. With the cost saving potential, cloud computing is becoming increasingly popular. But what is this new trend, what does it ...
Pixar's patents for animating hair and fur
Steve Van Dulken, LaunchLab's resident copyright and patents expert describes how Pixar protected the technology behind the realistic fur on show in the film Monsters, Inc.
By Steve Van Dulken on
May 08,2009
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Steve Van Dulken, LaunchLab's resident copyright and patents expert describes how Pixar protected the technology behind the realistic fur on show in the film Monsters, Inc.
Squeezing out the last from a tube
It is always annoying when you can't get the last residues out of a tube, such as a toothpaste tube, no matter how hard you try. I've come across a solution to this ...
By Steve Van Dulken on
Apr 09,2009
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It is always annoying when you can't get the last residues out of a tube, such as a toothpaste tube, no matter how hard you try. I've come across a solution to this ...
The Invisible Edge, how IP makes you money
Steve Van Dulken, LaunchLab's resident inventions and intellectual property (IP) expert, considers the part IP plays in making companies big bucks.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Mar 20,2009
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Steve Van Dulken, LaunchLab's resident inventions and intellectual property (IP) expert, considers the part IP plays in making companies big bucks.
New inventions in fitness
Steve Van Dulken, LaunchLab's resident inventions expert, ponders a new British exercise invention - will it work?
By Steve Van Dulken on
Feb 27,2009
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Steve Van Dulken, LaunchLab's resident inventions expert, ponders a new British exercise invention - will it work?
Toilet training aids for children
There have been so many episodes of Dragons' Den that I often see one that's new to me in the endless run of repeats.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Feb 12,2009
- Comments () - Rating (2 votes)
There have been so many episodes of Dragons' Den that I often see one that's new to me in the endless run of repeats.
Inventions for clearing up snow
Steve Van Dulken, our resident patents and inventions expert, discusses the best ways businesses have found to clear up snow.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Feb 06,2009
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Steve Van Dulken, our resident patents and inventions expert, discusses the best ways businesses have found to clear up snow.
Making Upwords
LaunchLab's inventions specialist, Steve Van Dulken, explains the thinking behind the addictive family game Upwords.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Jan 23,2009
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LaunchLab's inventions specialist, Steve Van Dulken, explains the thinking behind the addictive family game Upwords.
The Tooth Tunes toothbrush
LaunchLab's resident inventions and patents expert Steve Van Dulken investigates the merits of Tooth Tunes; a toothbrush that plays music via your inner-ear.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Jan 12,2009
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LaunchLab's resident inventions and patents expert Steve Van Dulken investigates the merits of Tooth Tunes; a toothbrush that plays music via your inner-ear.
The Ultrabattery
Steve Van Dulken, LaunchLab's resident inventions expert, looks at The Ultrabattery; potentially a big step forward for low-emissions vehicles.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Dec 15,2008
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Steve Van Dulken, LaunchLab's resident inventions expert, looks at The Ultrabattery; potentially a big step forward for low-emissions vehicles.
The audible glove
LaunchLab's resident expert on whacky inventions explains the thinking behind a new product for sports fans in the US: audible gloves.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Dec 02,2008
- Comments (1) - Rating (1 votes)
LaunchLab's resident expert on whacky inventions explains the thinking behind a new product for sports fans in the US: audible gloves.
Amos Joel, pioneer in mobile phones
I was reading the obituary column in today's Daily Telegraph when I came across the obituary of Amos Joel, an inventor for Bell Telephone. He was 90 years old.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Nov 04,2008
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I was reading the obituary column in today's Daily Telegraph when I came across the obituary of Amos Joel, an inventor for Bell Telephone. He was 90 years old.
The Tangle Teezer - a Dragon slaying invention
Dragons' Den is an entertaining TV programme as so often those asking for cash for their ideas are naive, but sometimes the experts do get it wrong. Shaun Pulfrey's Tangle Teezer is ...
By Steve Van Dulken on
Oct 15,2008
- Comments () - Rating (1 votes)
Dragons' Den is an entertaining TV programme as so often those asking for cash for their ideas are naive, but sometimes the experts do get it wrong. Shaun Pulfrey's Tangle Teezer is ...
Predicting the electronic future in 1968
It is either courageous or foolhardy to predict changes in technology.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Oct 10,2008
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It is either courageous or foolhardy to predict changes in technology.
Universal Studios theme parks
I grew up in America, but have only visited one theme park there: Universal Studios, in Los Angeles, in about 1992.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Sep 19,2008
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I grew up in America, but have only visited one theme park there: Universal Studios, in Los Angeles, in about 1992.
The banana guard
My colleague Maria Lampert owns a banana guard to protect bananas from bruising. She was pleased to find patent information on it.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Sep 04,2008
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My colleague Maria Lampert owns a banana guard to protect bananas from bruising. She was pleased to find patent information on it.
Waffle irons - patents from America
Further to my American trip, on my first morning in my Boston hotel I found that the breakfast room had waffle irons, or a waffle maker, with a patent number on it. ...
By Steve Van Dulken on
Aug 22,2008
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Further to my American trip, on my first morning in my Boston hotel I found that the breakfast room had waffle irons, or a waffle maker, with a patent number on it. ...
Renting out baggage carts
I've just got back from a trip to the USA, and as usual looked out for inventions that were new to me. On my arrival at Logan Airport, Boston, I noticed Smartecarte ...
By Steve Van Dulken on
Aug 15,2008
- Comments () - Rating (1 votes)
I've just got back from a trip to the USA, and as usual looked out for inventions that were new to me. On my arrival at Logan Airport, Boston, I noticed Smartecarte ...
Emotiv's brain control headset
I have just read a BBC story about Emotiv, an Australian company which plans to launch a game which involves the reading of your brain patterns. The story includes a drawing of ...
By Steve Van Dulken on
Jul 26,2008
- Comments (1) - Rating (0 votes)
I have just read a BBC story about Emotiv, an Australian company which plans to launch a game which involves the reading of your brain patterns. The story includes a drawing of ...
The iPhone 3G patent application
Today is launch day for Apple's iPhone® 3G. I am always interested in tracking down published patent applications for new products, and this was no exception.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Jul 11,2008
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Today is launch day for Apple's iPhone® 3G. I am always interested in tracking down published patent applications for new products, and this was no exception.
Re-inventing the wheelchair
Traditionally wheelchairs have both looked clumsy and been inefficient for their users. Now Michael Spindle of Radlett, Hertfordshire, has done something about it.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Jul 02,2008
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Traditionally wheelchairs have both looked clumsy and been inefficient for their users. Now Michael Spindle of Radlett, Hertfordshire, has done something about it.
American patriotism patents in World War I
Every war provokes patriotic inventions. World War I was certainly no exception.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Jun 26,2008
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Every war provokes patriotic inventions. World War I was certainly no exception.
Flying saucer inventions
I opened this morning's Metro free newspaper on the train to find an article on page 17 called "Building a better UFO".
By Steve Van Dulken on
Jun 20,2008
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I opened this morning's Metro free newspaper on the train to find an article on page 17 called "Building a better UFO".
Anti dozing alarms
I've been looking through the 2007 annual review of the UK Intellectual Property Office, and it has reminded me that the Waker-Upper 3000 was the winner of the 2007 Cracking ideas Competition.
By Steve Van Dulken on
Jun 10,2008
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I've been looking through the 2007 annual review of the UK Intellectual Property Office, and it has reminded me that the Waker-Upper 3000 was the winner of the 2007 Cracking ideas Competition.
