CP wrote --

> (sure; you can have any colour you want, so long as it's black)

  Early on cars (even Ford's) came in a variety of colours.
  Ford settled on black only since the paint he was using dried quicker
than any other colour and he was able to pump out more cars to meet the demand.

> Yeah; but the standard now (I know--can't fairly judge the past by the filters of today) is to give the inventor credit, but to own(& license or sell by your own choice) the patents.

  Yep, common practice now.
  I think it started when the inventor didn't have the means or ability to
mass produce whatever he invented and sold the patent rights to someone who
could, but he retained a certain percentage of the profits of whatever.

> I have nothing but respect for this man -- the first I've ever had real respect for. & the only person I've ever called sir and mister & sincerely meant the  honour. (a mister was just a master(employer)

  In the South we were taught call others Mr and Mrs/Miss, until they gave
permission to call them by their first name.
  And the same goes for sir/ma'am.
  Sir/ma'am rolls off my tongue easily and naturally.
  I have met young folks, usually Yankee's, who refuse to call someone with
that respect and call the others by their first names, whether they know
them or not.  Sadly many Southerners are this way now.
  And then, being a Southern gentleman, there is the honouric Mr/Miss with
a first name, Mr Jack/Miss Mary.  Those are used for superiors of some sort.
   And when Miss evolved to MS that was easy since Miss was often slurred
as Miz.  :)
 
> He also promised an ear in every home & a camera on every corner -- with the newer Windows that's been done, too.

  Like Big Brother in "1984".
  Joe
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