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Mathisen & Macara is the successor to the business established by
Anders Mathisen, a Dane, in 1932 at First Avenue House, High Holborn, London.
Anders Mathisen arrived in England in 1917, graduated from London University
with a degree in Engineering in 1928 and became a Fellow of the Chartered
Institute of Patent Agents in 1932.
As shown by the hand written ledgers still held by the firm, Anders Mathisen
appears initially to have filed and prosecuted applications for a wide variety
of private individuals in and around London. |
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The ninth patent application
filed by Mathisen was for Captain Hubert Mackenzie Salmond, Royal Indian Navy,
who had lost a friend in a car accident when the car burst into flames after an
accident as a result of the continued pumping of fuel by the fuel pump and a
spark from the ignition system.
Salmond devised a gravity or inertia operated
switch that would disable the electrical system of a vehicle in the event of an
accident (see UK patent specification no 423,191).
This proved to be a turning point in Mathisen’s life.
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Mathisen quickly became involved
with Salmond in the manufacture of such switches, combining this with his patent
work. With the onset of the Second World War, these switches became in great
demand particularly for aircraft and Mathisen was obliged to devote more of his
time to this business, to the detriment of the patent agency. Indeed, Mathisen
himself became a prolific inventor in the fields of fire extinguishing, fuel
valves and switches.
The business was incorporated under the name of Graviner
Manufacturing Co and its successor remains a client to this day, with an address
at Mathisen Way named in honour of its founder. |
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Mathisen’s name also appears
with that of Wilkinson Sword Limited, the world famous manufacturer of razors,
on patent specifications in the 1930’s relating to dry shavers.
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Photos from the
Archives |
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After the Second World War, the patent agency was in poor shape due at least in
part to Mathisen’s contribution to the war effort. It was fortunate,
therefore, that in 1953 Mathisen was joined by John Macara, a Scotsman whose
talents and drive were to create the firm that exists today. He quickly
re-established relationships with overseas attorneys and clients and under his
guidance the firm prospered, moving from near Jermyn Street, London to Pall
Mall, London.
The firm grew steadily.
Anders Mathisen
retired from the partnership in 1965. His life was worthy of a book – and has
gained one, ‘Fireworthiness and Gravatom’ compiled by Walter Leonard Abigail
C.Eng., F.I.Mech.E., MR AeS and published by Gravatom Limited in 1983.
Today the firm is thriving and still recognizable as embracing the tenets of its founders
but having adapted to the modern world.
On 1 April 2011, Mathisen & Macara
adopted the modern limited liability partnership (LLP) business structure.
On 1 December 2011 Mathisen & Macara expanded to incorporate the practice of
Compass Patents LLP, with the four partners of that firm joining Mathisen &
Macara. The partners of Compass Patents worked together for many years in
"in-house" patent departments for major multi-national corporations, firstly
with BP and latterly with INEOS. |
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