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by Drublic on February 5th, 2007

Drublic

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What was the first patent issued for?

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  • by canadianhelper on February 5th, 2007

    canadianhelper

    English patent:

    The crown of England issued letters patent providing any person with a "monopoly" to produce particular goods or provide particular services. The first such letter was granted by Henry VI in 1449 to a Flemish man for a 20 year monopoly for his invention.

    US Patent:

    During the period of America’s Thirteen Colonies a few inventors were able to obtain monopolies (i.e. "patents") to produce and sell their inventions. These monopolies were granted by petition to a given colony’s legislature.

    In 1646, for example, the Province of Massachusetts Bay granted inventor Joseph Jenks Sr. the exclusive right to set up water mills using a speedier engine he had developed for making edged tools, such as scythes. His monopoly was to run for 14 years

    US Patent as you think of them today:

    The first patent was granted on July 30, 1790 to Samuel Hopkins of Philadelphia for a method of producing potash (potassium carbonate), an essential ingredient used in making soap, glass, and gunpowder (Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh)

    Source:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_patent_law

    Google Books:
    http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN0313324336&id=MTXdplfiz-cC&pg=RA1-PA191&lpg=RA1-PA191&ots=2QiLa1D_qn&dq=hopkins+first+patent&sig=x0bXmqZSOBcXZn2tWC3yXHX3DBw

    Background:
    http://www.carnegielibrary.org/locations/reference/ptdl//pgh/samhopkins.html

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