<P> The importance of the crosshead screw design lies in its self - centering property, useful on automated production lines that use powered screwdrivers . Phillips' major contribution was in driving the crosshead concept forward to the point where it was adopted by screwmakers and automobile companies . The credited inventor of the Phillips screw was John P. Thompson who, in 1932, patented (#1,908,080) a recessed cruciform screw and in 1933, a screwdriver for it . </P> <P> After failing to interest manufacturers, Thompson sold his self - centering design to Phillips in 1935 . Phillips formed the Phillips Screw Company in 1934 . After refining the design himself (U.S. Patent #2,046,343, U.S. Patents #2,046,837 to 2,046,840) for the American Screw Company of Providence, Rhode Island, Phillips succeeded in bringing the design to industrial manufacturing and promoting its rapid adoption as a machine screw standard . One of the first customers was General Motors who used the innovative design in 1936 for its Cadillac assembly - lines . By 1940, 85% of U.S. screw manufacturers had a license for the design . Due to failing health, Phillips retired in 1945 . He died in 1958 . He went to Benson Polytechnic High School . </P>

Where did the name phillips screwdriver come from