The Accidental Inventor: An Interview with Hal Philipp
Before we get to today’s episode, a quick update on our podcast release schedule. In the past, we’ve released interviews in segments over multiple episodes, but we’ve found that this can fragment attention. Starting this month, Mind Matters News will release two full-length interview episodes each month that will be longer, more comprehensive, and we hope, more engaging. These episodes will post on the first Wednesday and the third Friday of each month. The first Wednesday episodes will also be made available in video form on the Bradley Center YouTube channel for those who would prefer to watch it. We hope this new format makes the podcast more enjoyable and more accessible to you!
On this episode, Mind Matters News host Robert J. Marks is joined by Bradley Norris as they welcome Hal Philipp, the man behind the modern touchscreen and a prolific inventor with an impressive 98 U.S. patents. Hal shares his story and some of the lessons he’s learned over a career in invention. Hal tells the story of earning his very first patent, a radar for fiber optics that shoots out light pulses to spot problems like breaks or weak signals. Hal goes on to tell the story of his other major inventions, including an optical sensor system for football recruiters and a photon bridge sensor that would improve automatic sliding doors and automatic faucets. Hal mentions his groundbreaking capacitive sensor technology and the “accidental” creation of his company to meet overwhelming demand for the resulting low-cost microchip.
Hal then pivots to discussing how the sensor led to touchscreens as we know them today and what happened in their aftermath. He also discusses the hard lessons he learned through a difficult relationship with Apple, Inc. After licensing his capacitive sensor technology, the Cupertino tech giant left him in the lurch, and Hal learned that when you get a patent for something, it’s really just a license to sue when the idea gets stolen. He shares his remarkable David and Goliath story here.
Finally, Philipp covers some of the lessons he has learned over his career, with some questions from a live audience. He shares the ups and downs of being a solo inventor, including the “manic-depressive” nature of the process, the dangers of patent trolls and litigation, and the challenges of commercializing and licensing his inventions. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to consider getting support from larger organizations or venture capital firms, as well as forming co-founder teams, to help mitigate the risks.
Enjoy these valuable insights into the realities of being an independent inventor in a competitive technology landscape.
Dig Deeper
- Learn more about Hal Philipp at Michigan Tech
- Watch this interview on YouTube: Stories and Startup Tips from Hal Philipp, Inventor of the Touch Screen
