PATENTS: THE ENGINE OF INVENTION

A wide array of patents have been issued in the United States since 1790 when the first Patent Act was enacted. Some have revolutionized our daily life, some have inspired further invention, while others are a little strange. Every aspect of our lives is touched in some way by the patent system. Unique to the United States was the requirement until 1880 to submit a working model along with the patent application. In this exhibit, you will see several of these inventions in miniature and learn how patents helped make us a nation of inventors.