I have a friend who's been bragging about some patents lately. As he says, "I have ideas that will be valuable to many companies." Still, I find his confidence in it kind of laughable. As with everything in this world, pursuing a patent isn't simply about imagining something useful; a successful patent comes from somebody with industry experience and connections.
Take Amos Tamam for example. After a thorough education in Israel as an electrical engineer, Amos Tamam came to America and began driving taxi cabs in New York City. After several years, Amos Tamam began to repair taxis and eventually managed a fleet of taxis. After many years, in 1992, he began developing a machine that has become very valuable to cab drivers: a box to enable credit card payment for taxi rides. After years of developing this idea, Tamam is still developing the infastructure and perfection of his invention.
This is a perfect example of the kind of dedication that I don't think my friend understands is necessary for a successful patent.
