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When it comes to celebrities, it is easy to consider them one-trick ponies. Musicians are musicians, actors are actors, writers are writers, and so forth. But lots of our stars have a wide range of talents, and some are even inventors with patented designs.
While some celebs were awarded patents that don't come as much of a surprise, such as James Cameron and his patents for devices that allow him to shoot special effects, others will likely leave you thinking, "What on earth?!"
Check out this gallery to see which celebs have registered patents over the years.
The 'Purple Rain' singer not only played a variety of instruments with impressive finesse, he even went so far as to design his own!
In 1994 Prince was given the patent for an instrument referred to as the Purpleaxxe, a crazy sort of guitar-keyboard hybrid.
Director Steven Spielberg has been granted a number of patents over the years, including one for a dolly track switch, a device to be used in filmmaking.
It will come as little surprise that the world-renowned animator and entrepreneur registered a good number of patents during his lifetime.
In 1936, for example, he applied to register the patent for a device that would assist those producing "what are generally known as animated cartoons."
Back in the '90s the King of Pop, along with two of his costume designers, registered a patent for shoes that give the illusion that the wearer is leaning beyond their center of gravity.
The shoes were invented in the '80s at the same time as the infamous "moonwalk," which MJ used in the music video for his song, 'Smooth Criminal' (1988).
Actress Jamie Lee Curtis, who is best known for her roles in horror films such as 'Halloween' (1978), applied to register a patent in 1987 for a less than glamorous product.
The patent was for a diaper that has a pocket for wipes. The actress did not allow anyone to market the product until they had committed to selling biodegradable diapers.
Between 2002 and 2014 the actor Marlon Brando, who appeared in such films as 'The Godfather' (1972) and 'Last Tango in Paris' (1972), had several patents issued in his name.
An amateur drummer as well as an actor, each of the patents registered by Brando was for a device that helps musicians to tune drumheads.
Director and producer George Lucas, who is best known for being the creator of the 'Star Wars' and 'Indiana Jones' franchises, has registered a number of patents over the years.
All of the patents Lucas registered were designs for toy figures or vehicles based on those that appeared in his films.
In 1991, model and entrepreneur Christie Brinkley filed a patent application for a toy that helps young children to learn and practice their ABCs.
Brinkley is clearly a woman of many talents: in addition to being a world-renowned supermodel and inventor, she also won an award for an album cover she designed for Billy Joel.
Director James Cameron, whose films include 'The Terminator' (1984) and 'Avatar' (2009), has been granted a number of patents over the course of his career.
His patents are for technologies that help him to develop the special effects for his films. For example, in 1991 he was granted a patent for an apparatus that can propel a person underwater.
It wouldn't be an understatement to call Harry Connick, Jr. a 'jack of all trades.' On top of being among the top 60 best-selling male artists in the US, he is also an actor and an inventor.
In 2002 Connick, Jr. was granted a patent for a "system and method for coordinating music display among players in an orchestra."
The actor who was known to many as the "King of Cool" was a motorcycle and race car enthusiast who performed many of his own stunts.
In 1971 the US Patent and Trademark Office granted McQueen a patent for a motorsports bucket seat that he had designed.
Another owner of a bizarre patent is director Francis Ford Coppola: his invention was a t-shirt that would make it easier for people to have their backs scratched.
The 19th-century writer Mark Twain registered a number of patents during his time, including one for an advancement on the common scrapbook.
In 1987 the Van Halen front man was granted a patent for a device that would help to support his guitar while he was bashing out solos.
Artist Andy Warhol, who is often associated with the pop art movement, once registered a patent for an interesting-looking watch that had multiple faces.
Musician Neil Young is another avid patent registrant. He has previously registered patents for a number of model train innovations, as well as for audio and visual systems.
In 1921 the legendary Hungarian magician Harry Houdini was awarded the patent for a diving suit that was easier to put on and take off.
Perhaps surprisingly, in the 1990s Broadway actor Gary Burghoff applied for and was awarded the patent for a device that made fish easier to catch.
Sources: (Ranker) (Google Patents)
The inventors among the rich and famous
Celebs who registered patents
CELEBRITY Invention
When it comes to celebrities, it is easy to consider them one-trick ponies. Musicians are musicians, actors are actors, writers are writers, and so forth. But lots of our stars have a wide range of talents, and some are even inventors with patented designs.
While some celebs were awarded patents that don't come as much of a surprise, such as James Cameron and his patents for devices that allow him to shoot special effects, others will likely leave you thinking, "What on earth?!"
Check out this gallery to see which celebs have registered patents over the years.