Andreas Pavel invented a personal portable stereo player around 1972, almost a full decade before Sony began to sell and market their version. Not only did he put the contraption together, he was smart enough to patent it, in various countries. Needless to say, he foresaw a piece of the future, correctly sensing people’s desire for mobile entertainment. And if you think Sony didn’t have to pay up, think again. They settled with Andreas out of court for an amount in the low eight figures and he get’s royalties on some sales. Of course this was after a legal battle that almost bankrupted Andreas and lasted for over a decade. Nice to see he overcame. I wonder if he gets back-royalties? Link
