[1] In 1911, the inventor Gardner T. Eames of Kalamazoo, Michigan filed for a patent[2] on a new type of arbor press, but was unable to secure funding for production.
In 1913, Everard died, leaving his controlling share of the firm to his daughter and her husband, John Penniman.
Eames eventually became disillusioned with the Pennimans' handling of the company and sold his shares to them for $5,000.
Eames opened a machine shop and continued to build and sell presses under the old trademark, which eventually led to conflict between the two parties, both of whom claimed exclusivity over the patent, as well as additional improvements made by Eames.
The case was argued in front of the Michigan Supreme Court, which ruled that Eames had to cease use of the trademark, but refusing the transfer of the improved press to the Atlas company.