Stanford inventions

It's no secret that Stanford is an innovation hub, especially in the technology sphere. A quick search through the USPTO database reveals that Stanford holds at least 2,640 patents - and that's not including the patents that have expired. From last year alone, Stanford received over $76.7 million in gross royalty revenue with five of these inventions earning $1 million. Cumulatively, since 1970, Stanford has gained over $1.4 billion in royalty income.

A recent study estimates that companies formed by Stanford entrepreneurs generate revenues of $2.7 trillion annually and have created 39,900 companies and 5.4 million jobs since the 1930s. If gathered collectively into a hypothetical independent nation, these companies would constitute the world's 10th largest economy. In addition to the businesses, Stanford alumni and faculty have also founded over 30,000 non-profit organizations.

Wanderings of Odysseus

Today is the last showing of Wanderings of Odysseus, which is the first half of Homer's epic The Odyssey, put on by the Stanford Summer Theatre. We went to see the show last week to add a bit of arts & culture to our otherwise law and technology -heavy schedules. 

Paul Baird as Odysseus

Courney Walsh as the Cyclops

Wanderings showcased minimalism at its best. I was impressed by how a small cast of six carried a 2-hour play. Each actor embodied multiple roles with the three males sharing the voice of Odysseus. They transitioned before our eyes by synchronizing lines and passing a symbolic object like a sash. It was very well done. They were all equally convincing and confident as Odysseus and illuminated different aspects of the character's personality. It was never confusing who was who.

The other thing that really impressed me was the set design and use of props. When we arrived at our seats, the stage was pretty much bare save for a few blocks. There were also almost no props - a rope here, a sheet there. But so much was done with so little. Everything came alive as the story unfolded and I had no trouble believing that a waving sheet was Poseidon's angry sea or that a few blocks were Calypso's seductive boudoir.

I hope to see more of Stanford's artsy side in the weeks to come. 

Some photos from last week

The Oval

Rodin Sculpture Garden outside the Cantor Arts Centre

West Wing of the Green Library ... not exactly the most beautiful part of Stanford

SLAC Accelerator Magnets