Happy Birthday Denver Boot!

Patent #2844354 for the Wheel Clamp was issued today, July 28, 1958.

It seems that Marugg had some friends in the Denver Sheriff's Department, who were aware of his skills as an inventor. The department approached Marugg with their problem of scofflaws who had become inattentive to the city's pleas to pay up on their tickets. So Marugg and the Sheriff at the time, came up with the idea for a device to immobilize vehicles, and open up the wallets of the vehicle owners.

Although history shows Marugg invented the boot in 1953, he didn't apply for a patent for his vehicle immobilizing device until May 7, 1955, taking over three years to see it actually patented.

What has always puzzled me is that Marugg was supposed to be a well-liked, really nice guy. How he successfully hid the horns on his head and the 666 burned into his scalp his entire lifetime is shocking. Of course, I jest.

But seriously, one wonders if Marugg knew the dismay and rage his invention would cause to millions of people around the world and, especially here in Chicago, where we have the lowest threshold (two unpaid tickets in final determination over a year old) for vehicle immobilization in the nation.

Marugg ran his company selling Denver Boots until he passed away, and his daughter eventually sold the company to Clancy Systems.

Now there are many companies manufacturing these accursed vehicle immobilizing boots. All owe their existence to Marugg's original Wheel Clamp, Patent #2844354.