The Tragic Case of the American Inventor (FM radio): Edwin Howard Armstrong
Just when you think all you need to do is create the next invention:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Armstrong

The story about his life is a little bit muddled on Wikipedia still, though it should show what he did wrong: compete with the big boys. He had a tragic end to his marriage and life. Read up.
Upon hearing the news, David Sarnoff remarked "I did not kill Armstrong."

It sounds like he certainly played a big part in driving Armstrong to his death. If he were a smarter businessman, and if he had some passion about technology, he could have seen Armstrong's innovation as something to invest and embrace, instead of a threat.
I would greatly recommend the book Free Culture by Lawrence Lessig. The first time I heard of Armstrong was in this book.

Lessig uses this story, (as well as others), to demonstrate how laws have often throughout history been turned to profit the rich.

The book has a great subtitle: "How big media use technology and law to lock down culture and control creativity". The book is available under Creative Commons. (You guessed it, Lessig is an Open Source promoter).


Anyway, the only reason I mention the book is because many examples of other Armstrongs are mentioned. Definite recommendation!
It's exactly what I am reading now. Didn't know it was available freely online (but it of course makes sense that it should be).
I was really moved by how he put the case. I've never felt this bad about another person's tragedy. Though I didn't reference the book, since I neither finished it, nor can provide an overview yet about its content.