Iomega Clik! Drive was the first mini flexible magnetic media data storage drive. Fred Thomas was a pricipal inventor.
About Fred C Thomas III
Fred Charles Thomas III - Engineer and Inventor
Fred Thomas received a BS in Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Physics from Bucknell University in 1982. In 1990 he received a MS in Mechanical Engineering specializing in Control Systems and Non-linear Dynamics.
His awards include the International Design Excellence Award in 2009, Industrial Forum Product Design Award in 2008, "Nano50 Award" for "Subwavelength Optical Data Storage" in 2005, Lemelson-MIT "Inventor of the Week" Award in 2004, Iomega "Exceptional Invention Award" in 1999, and Laser Focus World "Electro-Optic Application of the Year Award" in 1994.
Significant Invention:
Interchangeable Cartridge Data Storage System
for
Devices Performing Diverse Functions
US Patents #: 5,809,520 & 6,587,304 Issue Dates: Sept. 15, 1998 & July 1, 2003
Inventors: Kim Edwards – Iomega Corp. President, George Krieger – VP R&D, Fred Thomas – Chief
Technologist Adv. R&D, Brent Watson – Director Advanced R&D.
Iomega Products: Clik!, Pocket Zip and announced/forth coming Digital Transfer Technology
Distinguishing issued independent patent claim (extremely broad):
1. An interchangeable cartridge data storage system comprising:
a plurality of devices for generating signals representing different functions performed by different classes of said devices:
a mini-cartridge having a medium on which said signals are recorded; and
a mini drive in said devices for writing said signals and reading said signals from said medium so that diverse functions performed
by said different classes of said devices can be interchangeably operated upon by said devices.