© Getty Images

Prince -

The 'Purple Rain' singer not only played a variety of instruments with impressive finesse, he even went so far as to design his own!

© Getty Images

Prince -

In 1994 Prince was given the patent for an instrument referred to as the Purpleaxxe, a crazy sort of guitar-keyboard hybrid.

© Getty Images

Steven Spielberg -

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.

© Getty Images

Walt Disney -

It will come as little surprise that the world-renowned animator and entrepreneur registered a good number of patents during his lifetime.

© Getty Images

Walt Disney -

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."

© Getty Images

Michael Jackson -

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.

© Getty Images

Michael Jackson -

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).

© Getty Images

Jamie Lee Curtis -

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.

© Getty Images

Jamie Lee Curtis -

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.

© Getty Images

Marlon Brando -

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.

© Getty Images

Marlon Brando -

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. 

© Getty Images

George Lucas -

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.

© Getty Images

George Lucas -

All of the patents Lucas registered were designs for toy figures or vehicles based on those that appeared in his films. 

© Getty Images

Christie Brinkley -

In 1991, model and entrepreneur Christie Brinkley filed a patent application for a toy that helps young children to learn and practice their ABCs.

© Getty Images

Christie Brinkley -

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.

© Getty Images

James Cameron -

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.

© Getty Images

James Cameron -

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.

© Getty Images

Harry Connick, Jr. -

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.

© Getty Images

Harry Connick, Jr. -

In 2002 Connick, Jr. was granted a patent for a "system and method for coordinating music display among players in an orchestra." 

© Getty Images

Steve McQueen -

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.

© Getty Images

Steve McQueen -

In 1971 the US Patent and Trademark Office granted McQueen a patent for a motorsports bucket seat that he had designed.

© Getty Images

Francis Ford Coppola -

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.

© Getty Images

Mark Twain -

The 19th-century writer Mark Twain registered a number of patents during his time, including one for an advancement on the common scrapbook.

© Getty Images

Eddie van Halen -

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.

© Getty Images

Andy Warhol -

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.

© Getty Images

Neil Young -

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.

© Getty Images

Harry Houdini -

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. 

© Getty Images

Gary Burghoff -

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)

See also: Celebrities with surprising hidden talents

© Getty Images