Originally Posted By: hybrid8
But even keeping to HVAC, the rotating control around a central display for instance goes back a few decades in thermostat design.

A design that Honeywell did actually create first, as told here: http://observersroom.designobserver.com/alexandralange/post/reinventing-the-thermostat/31838/

Though the patents Honeywell is trying to sue over appear to be more modern then the initial round one given to Henry Dreyfuss for drawing a circle on a napkin.