3 ms·

Isn't Allen the inventor's name?

• xxs 6y ago
  It is a brand name.
  • iguy 6y ago
    Sure. So is Ford. But back in 1909, it was also the name of the guy who signed the patent. Whose company name was his surname.
    • xxs 6y ago
      >"where naming is more like branding" I meant it followed the branding pattern, so it happened the brand was derived from the name.
      • iguy 6y ago
        I guess there's no commerce in mathematical theorems. But the use of his name as a generic (not just for products sold by the company which bought the trademark) seems similar in that it's a community decision -- we could have all decided to say "hex wrench" instead.