How realistic is Flash of Genius?

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I recently watched Flash of Genius (2008), and I'm curious how close it stays to the real-life story of Robert Kearns, the man who invented the intermittent windshield wiper in 1969 before having the idea stolen by Ford and Chrysler.

Is there any information out there on how close to real life the movie is?






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How true is flash of genius?

Robert Kearns invented the intermittent windshield wiper and spent 12 years suing the big Detroit automakers for stealing his idea. "Flash of Genius" is a true story based on a New Yorker magazine article.

How much was the deal worth in flash of genius?

Toward the end of the trial, Ford offers Kearns a $30 million settlement, but without admitting wrongdoing. Kearns decides to leave his fate in the hands of the jury, who determine that Ford infringed his patents, but that the infringement was not deliberate. The jury awards him $10.1 million.

What year is flash of genius set in?

The movie covers events taking place from 1953 to 1982. The wiper was hard to perfect. There are some gaps along the way, and we don't get to know his wife (Lauren Graham) and his family very well, nor perhaps does he.

What does a flash of genius mean?

Flash of genius doctrine states that an invention must indicate the flash of creative genius, not merely a skill of the calling. Patents were granted only if an inventor revealed the flash of genius behind the invention. If the inventor fails, s/he loses the right to private grant on the public domain.



History vs the movie 'Flash of Genius' (an audio podcast)




Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Luis Barreto, stein egil liland, Philippe Donn, Rakicevic Nenad