# S2E30 1,000 Design Patents | Thomas Rinaldi

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2021-07-09
- Length: 46m
- Episode: 30
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-09-s2e30-1-000-design-patents-thomas-rinaldi
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/1000-design-patents-thomas-rinaldi/

## Summary

Architectural designer and author Thomas Rinaldi discusses his book 'Patented: 1,000 Design Patents,' which curates 1,000 design patents to highlight the history of industrial design and forgotten designers. Rinaldi explains that design patents protect the appearance of objects rather than their function, offering a database to study the evolution of everyday items like staplers, radios, and cell phones. He details how manufacturing techniques and materials, such as Bakelite or stamped metal, dictated the aesthetic shifts from classical motifs to streamlined Art Deco styles. The conversation also covers the rigorous process of writing and publishing non-fiction books, emphasizing the need for perseverance and the educational value of researching historical contexts.

## Chapters

- [0:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-09-s2e30-1-000-design-patents-thomas-rinaldi#t=29) Introduction: Thomas Rinaldi and 'Patented: 1,000 Design Patents'
- [4:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-09-s2e30-1-000-design-patents-thomas-rinaldi#t=270) Audience and the Value of Design Patents for Designers
- [8:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-09-s2e30-1-000-design-patents-thomas-rinaldi#t=515) Stylistic Evolution: From Classical Motifs to Streamlining and Art Deco
- [14:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-09-s2e30-1-000-design-patents-thomas-rinaldi#t=874) The Patent Ecosystem: Agents, Draftsmen, and Statistical Trends
- [20:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-09-s2e30-1-000-design-patents-thomas-rinaldi#t=1218) Spotlighting Forgotten Industrial Designers like Everett Worthington
- [28:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-09-s2e30-1-000-design-patents-thomas-rinaldi#t=1704) The Process of Writing and Publishing Non-Fiction Books
- [34:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-09-s2e30-1-000-design-patents-thomas-rinaldi#t=2072) Conciseness and the Value of Writing Books
- [37:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-09-s2e30-1-000-design-patents-thomas-rinaldi#t=2232) Personal Gratification and Research Behind 'New York Neon'

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Intellectual property](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/intellectual-property)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Patented: 1,000 Design Patents (product)
- Google Patents (tool)
- Raymond Loewy (other)
- Henry Dreyfus (other)
- Philippe Starck (other)
- Everett Worthington (other)
- Bakelite (material)
- Catalin (material)
- Phaidon (company)
- New York Neon (product)
- Hudson Valley Ruins (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [417: Special Old People Shoes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2023-11-03-417-special-old-people-shoes) (Making It)
- [71: Glue Flange](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2021-08-18-71-glue-flange) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [126: Ten Years](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-09-11-126-ten-years) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [How manufacturing and design co-exist - IDology #20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2024-04-16-how-manufacturing-and-design-co-exist-idology-20) (IDology)
- [437: This is a terrible thing to say…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-04-12-437-this-is-a-terrible-thing-to-say) (Making It)

## Citing this page

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