Did you know that some of the most glamorous celebrities in Hollywood are not just known for their on-screen talent but also for their inventive minds? Among these stars is the acclaimed actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who is celebrated not only for her impactful performances but also for her surprising contributions to the world of inventions. Curtis, best known for her roles in iconic films such as "Halloween" and "A Fish Called Wanda," holds a patent that has a unique connection to her experiences as a parent.
Jamie Lee Curtis was granted her first patent in 1988, coinciding with a significant year in her life when she and her husband adopted their first daughter. This milestone inspired her to create an innovative product aimed at making parenting a little easier. In a world where celebrity inventions often revolve around frivolity, Curtis's patent stands out as a practical solution for real-world challenges faced by parents everywhere.
The invention, which is classified as an "infant garment" patent, showcases Curtis's ingenuity and her desire to contribute positively to the parenting experience. In this article, we will explore not only the details of her invention but also how it fits into a broader narrative of celebrity inventors who have made significant contributions beyond the silver screen.
Biography of Jamie Lee Curtis
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Jamie Lee Curtis |
| Date of Birth | November 22, 1958 |
| Occupation | Actress, Author, Activist |
| Notable Films | Halloween, A Fish Called Wanda, True Lies |
| Spouse | Christopher Guest |
| Children | 2 (Annie and Ruby) |
Jamie Lee Curtis Has a Diaper Patent
Believe it or not, actress Jamie Lee Curtis has a diaper patent — or an "infant garment" patent, to use its official name (per Google Patents). According to the downloadable PDF file from Google Patents that provides more information on the patent itself, "The present invention relates to a disposable infant garment, and more particularly, to a diaper combined with an outer, moisture-proof pocket that contains one or more clean-up wipers. A routine which is repetitively familiar to parents of infants everywhere involves the handling of soiled diapers and the infant cleanup which follows." (Images of what the garment would look like are also included in the documentation of the patent.)
In an article from The Hollywood Reporter on an appearance Curtis made on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" it was noted that Curtis never marketed this patented design because, as she told host Jimmy Kimmel, "At the time, it felt a little landfill-y." Curtis has previously shared her desire to protect the environment, as published by E! News.
That Patent Has Since Expired
As of 2007, Jamie Lee Curtis' infant garment patent has expired, per Google Patents. An explanation on expired patents from LegalZoom states that a patent that has existed for 20 years — as Curtis' patent has — enters the public domain, meaning that the product could be created and marketed without requiring her consent.
Still setting her sights on improving diapers, however, Curtis had another patent granted in 2017, called "Unitary disposable diaper with an integrated soilage-management structure including disposal container," per Google Patents. According to its abstract on Google Patents, this patent is for "A unitary, disposable diaper possessing integrated soilage-management structure including a portion structured to form a selectively deployable, ultimately closable and sealable, soilage-impervious disposal container which enables after-baby-clean-up discarding of the entire, integrated, soiled diaper componentry as a compact disposable unit."
The name of the second patent is more of a mouthful than the previous "infant garment," but it isn't expected to expire until 2036, giving Curtis plenty of time to bring it to the masses.
