Willard "Willy" Royston applied for the patent of his unique articulating shrimp on August 11, 1942. Granted 13 months later, his unique design consisted of a double-jointed lure body, which included wire feelers and hinging tail fins.

   Until recently, the few examples known to collectors were all molded of plastic. The wooden version below, which is clearly described in Royston's patent, was recently discovered in Texas — another hotbed for early shrimp lure makers.
  
    Unfortunately, like so many other Florida lure makers, Royston's business failed after a short time. Few examples of this unique shrimp lure are known to exist.