R.I.P. Hans Camenzind (NE555 Inventor)

[Aziz]

Hans Camenzind passed away. But his NE555 will live forever.
R.I.P. Hans Camenzind
http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-n...Camenzind-dies

Aziz

[Aziz]

What patents are related to the 555?

What patents are related to the 555?

There are no patents on the 555. Signetics did not want to apply for
a patent. You see, the situation with patents in Silicon Valley in
1970 was entirely different than it is now. Everybody was stealing
from everybody else. I designed the 555 Signetics produced it, and
six months, or before a year later, National had it, Fairchild had
it, and nobody paid any attention to patents. The people at
Signetics told me they didn’t want to apply for a patent, because
what would happen if they tried to enforce that patent, is the people
from Fairchild would come back with a Manhattan-sized telephone book
and say “These are our patents, now let’s see what you’re violating”.

Do you know, how much he gave for freedom?
Do you know, how much the current patent trolls suck from you?

Aziz

[WM6]

RIP Hans and 555 x 555 mal thanks for your work.

[Midas]

RIP Hans. No doubt the 555 is an awesome bit of kit.
I've started writing his eulogy:
When Hans was young he thought he was astable and would pulse on forever but of course like everyone else he was only monostable, and got just the one trigger pulse. But he certainly made the most of it..

Midas