That's very interesting - especially that electrostatics predated what are now "conventional" cone drivers.
Another thing that caught my eye is that the planar magnetic design was originated by Jim Winey in 1969, yet Infinity, Apogee, and others were creating planar magnetic designs long before his initial patent should have expired.
Perhaps because he was working at 3M at the time prevented him from successfully completing the patent (the Magnepan factory tour does not explicitly state so), or perhaps it's a bit more complicated than that and his patent was narrow enough in scope that the other companies got around it.
Another thing that caught my eye is that the planar magnetic design was originated by Jim Winey in 1969, yet Infinity, Apogee, and others were creating planar magnetic designs long before his initial patent should have expired.
Perhaps because he was working at 3M at the time prevented him from successfully completing the patent (the Magnepan factory tour does not explicitly state so), or perhaps it's a bit more complicated than that and his patent was narrow enough in scope that the other companies got around it.