I worked with a young man in SoCal who left the parts store, and went to work for PG & E. (Pacific Gas and Electric.) While working as a "meter man," he designed a new type wrench that would enable repairmen to more easily turn off gas valves that were located in underground boxes, (similar to water meter boxes.) The company made him give them the drawings for it so they could have it patented, manufactured, and sell it to other gas companies. He didn't even get so much as a "thank you," either.