Michael Jackson, King of Pop and Patentee.
Per Dave McClaughry’s post at his new music industry-related patent blog, the recently deceased Michael Jackson was listed as a co-inventor on U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,452, titled “Method and Means for Creating Anti-Gravity Illusion”. As stated in the post, Jackson’s patent “expired before he did, for failure to pay the 3rd maintenance fee”. There is also a nice video at the post of the invention being used in a music video for his song “Smooth Criminal”.
Jackson’s patent was previously featured in our “They Invented What?” series of posts here (TIW? No. 92).
Anticipate This!™ | Patent and Trademark Law Blog 
The Patent & Trademark Office currently has an exhibit on Michael’s legacy in intellectual property. Check it out in the PTO Museum in the Madison Building; 600 Dulany St, Alexandria, VA.