Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1918 [PAGE 762]

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756

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

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[ J u n e I,

possession of this patent probably would be of no great intrinsic value if considered solely as a patent on a process, but it might be of considerable value as a protection against someone who subsequently might obtain a patent of similar nature and attempt to prevent us using our own process. As yet there has been developed no apparatus for the economical operation of this process on a commercial scale. W e are preparing to undertake on our own account and upon a very large scale, a new series of experiments for the purpose of developing such apparatus, and we feel so assured of success that we are prepared to expend $200,000 or more, if necessary ? for conducting the investigation. In view of the fact that we have been the instrumentality which made possible the investigation out of which grew the discovery of the process, and to the further fact that we are willing to provide the funds necessary for the development of the process to its full possibilities, we naturally expect to derive a considerable benefit from the commercial operation of the process, and this of course would imply our control of the patents covering it. W e would not desire, and do not expect, to use these patents as a means for preventing the coking* of Illinois coal, but quite the contrary. It would be our purpose to make this the basis of an entirely new industry in the State and to push its development to its fullest commercial possibilities. W e assume that the only interest the University has in the matter is that of seeing that the development of an industry of such great possible benefits to the State be not delayed nor restricted. W e feel, however, that if the matter be placed in our hands, it will be developed more rapidly and to a greater extent than by any other agency and we have no hesitancy in assuring you that we would use our utmost endeavors toward consummating its development. If the arrangement we have suggested meets with your approval, we shall consider our cooperative agreement as terminated, and will proceed at once with our plans for the further development of the Process. Yours very truly,

E. B. FULKS

Proposed A R T I C L E S O F A G R E E M E N T between the Board of T r u s tees of the University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, and Mr. A. T. H e r t of the American Creosoting Company, Louisville, Kentucky, to provide for the prosecution of an application for a patent on the process for the coking of coal, perfected in the laboratories of the University of Illinois by P r o fessor S. W . P a r r and Dr. T. E. Layng, under a cooperative agreement entered into with Mr. H e r t and the Engineering Experiment Station of the University of Illinois on February 8? 1916; for the assignment of the patent, if granted, to the Board of Trustees; and for a license to use this patent. 1. It is mutually agreed that' Professor S. W . P a r r and Dr. T. E. Layng are authorized and directed to apply in the United States for a patent on the process for the coking of coal, which was perfected by them