12 Days of Christmas IP
From wacky patents to famous trademarks, it's no surprise that the holidays bring out some of the most interesting pieces of intellectual property. To celebrate Christmas approaching, we've put…
Spooky IP
As Halloween approaches, enjoy some Spooky IP! Every year billions of dollars are spent on Halloween in the United States, but few people appreciate the role intellectual property plays in the…
Patent History: Engine Starting Device
On August 17, 1915, Charles Kettering was granted the patent for “Engine Starting Device”, U.S Patent No. 1,150,523. Charles F. Kettering was born on August 29, 1876, in Loudonville, Ohio. After…
Patent History: Anthropomorphic Dummy for Use in Vehicle Crash Testing
On April 4, 1981, Samuel W. Alderson was granted the patent for “Anthropomorphic Dummy for Use in Vehicle Crash Testing” U.S Patent No. 4,261,113. Before the 1950s, car manufacturers used living…
Patent History: Dish Washing Machine
On December 28, 1886, Josephine G. Cochrane was granted the patent for “Dish Washing Machine”, U.S. Patent No. 355,139. Josephine G. Cochrane was born on March 8, 1839, in Ashtabula County, Ohio. She…
Patent History: Method of Preparing Autographic Stencils for Printing (Mimeography)
On this day in 1876, Thomas Edison received a patent for the Mimeograph, entitled “Method of Preparing Autographic Stencils for Printing,” U.S Patent No. 224,665. The Edison’s invention involved a…
Patent History: REPOSITIONAL PRESSURE-SENSITIVE ADHESIVE SHEET MATERIAL (Post-it Notes)
On March 16, 1993, Arthur Fry was granted the patent for REPOSITIONAL PRESSURE-SENSITIVE ADHESIVE SHEET MATERIAL, U.S. Patent No. 5,194,299. Dr. Spencer Silver worked as a scientist for 3M. Silver…
Patent of the Week: Spatial Logical Toy (Rubik's Cube)
On March 29, 1983, Ernö Rubik was granted the patent for SPATIAL LOGICAL TOY, U.S. Patent No. 4,378,116. The spatial logic toy, known today as the Rubik’s Cube, was first introduced in 1974 in…
Patent of the Week: Method and System for Placing a Purchase Order Via a Communication Network
On September 28, 1999, inventors Peri Hartman, Jeffrey P. Bezos, Shel Kaphan, and Joel Speigel were granted the patent for METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PLACING A PURCHASE ORDER VIA A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK,…
Patent of the Week: Flaked Cereals and Process of Preparing the Same (Corn Flakes)
On April 14, 1896, John Harvey Kellogg was granted the patent for FLAKED CEREALS AND PROCESS OF PREPARING THE SAME, U.S. Patent No. 558,393. Cereal is one of those inventions that was discovered by…
Patent of the Week: Compact Hand-Held Video Game System (Gameboy)
On February 9, 1993, inventors, Satoru Okada and Shin Kojo were granted the patent for COMPACT HAND-HELD VIDEO GAME SYSTEM U.S. Patent No. 5,184,830. The assignee was Nintendo Company Limited. This…
Patent of the Week: Acetyl Salicylic Acid (Aspirin)
On February 27, 1900, Felix Hoffmann was granted the patent for Acetyl Salicylic Acid, U.S. Patent No. 644,077. Acetyl Salicylic Acid, known today as aspirin, helps to relieve minor aches and pains.…