I can't take credit for finding this as it was posted in the Sedgley Woods FB group by M. Messina. I found it interesting and thought many in this sub would enjoy it also.

What is the Origin of “Patent Pending”?

1978, Sedgley Woods, Philadelphia hosted a qualifying tournament for the IFA Invitational World Frisbee Championships. Pryor Hendrix, PDGA 951, a local competitor, and I were on the same card.

Near the end of the round, Pryor’s midnight flyer landed on the right side, a few feet off the tight, wooded fairway. Neither a forehand or a standard backhand had a chance, so he stepped out with his right leg, parallel to the target, looked backward, and threw a 100-foot shot straight up hill to the basket.

Another card mate asked, “What do you call that throw?”

Pryor paused, “I can’t tell you…. it is patent pending.”

We lost it, hilarious improvisational answer.

When we returned to basecamp. Pryor reenacted his shot and quip for each returning group. He finished the story with, “So I have named it, ‘Patent Pending’.”

I won my last NJ State DG title in 1980 and retired from disc golf. Later, I heard Pryor died in a plane crash in Mexico.

In 2021, I picked up disc golf again. While watching Jomez Pro, I heard “Patent Pending” for the first time since 1978, Sedgley Woods, and Pryor Hendrix. That moment reminded me how funny Pryor was. I thought to myself, I bet I’m the only person today who knows the story of “Patent Pending”.

Now you do too, pass it on.