Intellectual Property and the 4th of July
Independence Day, or Fourth of July, has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but has been observed since 1777, the first…
The Youngest Person to Receive a U.S. Patent
On June 4, 1963, Robert W. Patch became the youngest person to receive a U.S. patent. Patch’s “Toy Truck” (U.S. Patent No. 3,091,888) allowed for a…
Can you find this IP at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge?
Since the release of the first film in the Star Wars saga in 1977, Lucasfilm has been attached to over 188 registered patents, 51 published patent…
World IP Day 2019: IP and Sports
Today, April 26th, 2019 marks the 19th annual World Intellectual Property (IP) Day. Each year, IP offices, inventors, enterprises, and students are…
Celebrating Black History Month: Iconic Inventors Throughout History
As Black History Month comes to a close, we would like to take a moment to shine a light on 10 iconic African American inventors and scientists who…
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.…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
Patent of the Week: Cardiac Pulse-Rate Monitor
On October 21, 1969, Albert Dale Herman and Herbert Zeppo Marx were granted the patent for Cardiac Pulse-Rate Monitor U.S. Patent No. 3,473,526.…
Patent of the Week: Manner of Buoying Vessels Over Shoals
On May 22, 1849, President Abraham Lincoln was granted the patent for MANNER OF BUOYING VESSELS OVER SHOALS U.S. Patent No. 6,469. This patent was…
Patent of the Week: Climbing or Trailing Rose
On August 18, 1931, Henry Bosenberg was granted the patent for CLIMBING OR TRAILING ROSE US PP1. The climbing rose or “New Dawn” was the first plant…