In an intriguing turn of events, Oliver Heaviside, the brilliant mind behind a significant electrical invention, chose not to seek a patent for his work. Instead, the patent was later filed by AT&T, a company that had no direct involvement in Heaviside's discovery. This decision ultimately played a critical role in shaping the telecommunications landscape.

As a result of acquiring the patent, AT&T leveraged Heaviside's invention to gain a competitive edge in long-distance telephony. This led to the company's exponential growth, transforming it into one of the largest corporations globally, showcasing how an unpatented invention can significantly impact industry and business dynamics.