Out of 26 million Texans, you may have an idea to change the world. You may have had several ideas to change the world. But only a tiny minority of you pushed through the U.S. Patent office from application to successful patent. We've seen Texans change the world many times over. Jack Kilby did it with Texas Instruments in 1958 with the integrated circuit, causing the start of the digital revolution, which, in part, is why you can read these words over your electronic device.
Over the last few years, Texas Business has brought its feature: Texas Business Patent of the Day. This list is of the ones that were either extremely clever, odd or strange. One thing becomes apparent from these patents and the patent that runs daily in Texas Business—Texans have a unique mind set.
Though the history of the Corn Dog is disputed, the State Fair of Texas claims to have introduced the Corny Dog sometime between 1938 and 1942. As a paean to that invention that now sits in the freezer section of every grocery store in the southwest, here are the fried foods the State Fair of Texas has introduced, or tried to introduce, in the last seven years.
Dead Texas musicians live on every time you hear their songs. Their songs play everywhere, so the dead Texas musicians appear to be immortal. Here's the short list.
Don't get caught up with John Wayne religion. For one thing, he's not Texan. He's in some fine movies involving Texas, most notably The Searchers, but none of his movies can make the best cut of Texas movies. Here's the short list.
Unsung Texas Business Journalists Mention that one is a reporter, and there's a spark of interest. Mention that one is a business news reporter, and watch the eyes glaze over. Except to the players, business and economic journalists are unappreciated. While many wish to become sports reporters when they grow up, most do not realize that business journalists cover the Real Game. Mention that reporter covers business, and watch the eyes glaze over. A toast to these below on the short list and the numerous unnamed ones slogging away. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Best Texas Mexican Food: The Short List No, we're not going to debate the difference between Tex-Mex, Mex-Tex, Mexican and Texican food. Just know these establishments are the pinnacle of Texas Mexican fare. No brag, just fact. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Best Texas Burgers Texas Burgers. . While a hamburger is merely sustenance and gratification for a meal, the memory a good Texas burger can give rise to Homeric odes. The short list. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Texas Business reports: AUSTIN—Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody—an Austin, Texas-based law firm with 67 attorneys—announced the addition of Tom Mason, former general manager of the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), to the firm.
Mason will officially join the firm on Nov. 28, 2011.
“Tom (Mason) is one of the state's foremost legal experts on complex water and utilities issues,” said Michael Whellan, president of Graves Dougherty in a prepared statement. “He is an ideal addition to the firm's thriving regulatory and natural resources practices.”
Mason has 31 years of experience as an environmental lawyer and over 20 years of experience in public electric power. Most recently, he served as general manager of the LCRA from 2007 until July 2011. Prior to that, Mason was the LCRA's general counsel.
LCRA is one of the nation's larger public power authorities, and is also responsible for managing the lower Colorado River from the Highland Lakes through Austin and Bastrop to Matagorda Bay.
“I was attracted to Graves Dougherty's reputation for integrity and commitment to clients, as well as the opportunity to practice with outstanding lawyers in the areas of water and energy,” Mason said in a statement.
Before joining the LCRA in 1987, Mason served as assistant general counsel for the Texas Department of Water Resources and director of the Water Quality Division of the Texas Water Commission. He was also a partner in a law firm with a statewide practice in environmental and administrative law.
Mason is a magna cum laude graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. He earned a doctorate of jurisprudence with honors from The University of Texas School of Law.
Graves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody is an Austin, Texas-based law firm with 67 attorneys.
The Texas News Scrawl is a handy reference to stories Texas Business recommends from other news sources. Some of the stories that Texas Business currently suggests include: American Airlines continues to shed jobs; Chemical Safety Board shut out of West probe by ATF; America’s greatest threat: Unsafe work conditions; The West News proves the value of a great weekly newspaper in a community torn up with grief and chaos; Chinese investors checking out Texas, Austin; Texas makes bounce house operators carry liability coverage, but not plants like West Fertilizer; bSpaceX’s Grasshopper leaping to NM spaceport;and more.
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