Suiter Swantz IP takes a look back at past inventions and inventors with our Patent Of The Day.
On this day in 1849, Walter Hunt was granted U.S. Patent No. 6,281 for a DRESS PIN, better known today as a safety pin.
The distinguishing features of this invention consist in the construction of a pin made of one piece of wire or metal combining a spring, and clasp or catch, in which catch, the point of said pin is forced and by its own spring securely retained. They may be made of common pin wire, or of the precious metals.
It is rumored that Hunt discovered this invention while twisting a piece of wire as he contemplated how to get out of a $15.00 debt. He successfully paid the debt off by selling the patent rights to the person he owed money to. He sold this patent for $400.00.
Suiter Swantz IP is a full-service intellectual property law firm serving all of Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. If you have any intellectual property questions or need assistance with any patent, trademark or copyright matters and would like to speak to one of our patent attorneys please feel free to contact us.
