The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History said it received for future display prototypes and patent papers documenting the work of 911 GPS cellphone pioneer Robert Tendler, recognition that comes as his patent lawsuit against OnStar Corp. heats up.
The Fonefinder system designed by Tendler uses GPS and cellphone technology to send verbal emergency messages detailing the location of callers to the nearest emergency responders. Digital technology was subsequently employed by the Fonefinder phones to transmit GPS locations.
“Cellphones have become an intrinsic element of Americans’ lives, and Mr. Tendler’s work paved the way for universal adaptation of GPS technology,” said Brent Glass, director of the National Museum of American History. “Our museum welcomes this enhancement to our technology collection as an example of innovation and invention.”
Tendler, head of Tendler Cellular in Boston, also played a key role in convincing the Clinton administration to improve civilian GPS location accuracy in 2000.
OnStar denied infringing one of Tendler’s patents in a recent filing with a federal court in Texas.
Museum to display GPS work of Tendler
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