On This Date in Minnesota History: November 8

November 8, 1960 – Filed on August 4, 1953, the patent for a data flight recorder (#2959459), more commonly known as the "black box," was approved on this date. This aviation innovation was a General Mills product developed in partnership with the University of Minnesota.

http://www.minnesota-china.com/Education/emSciTech/MN_innovations.htm

http://www.google.com/patents/US2959459?printsec=abstract#v=onepage&q&f=false

http://www.generalmills.com/~/media/Files/history/hist_timeline.ashx

Data Flight Recorder

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fdr_sidefront.jpg