Historic Patents and Inventions

Did you know the first patent was granted on July 31, 1790 to Samuel Hopkins for a method of producing potash (potassium carbonate)? Check out these historic patents and innovations that changed the world, including everything from the safety pin and the sparkler, to the pocket protector and the slinky.

2,714,326 - GIBSON Inc. - Stringed musical instrument of the guitar type and combined bridge and tailpiece therefor

2,714,326 – GIBSON Inc. – Stringed musical instrument of the guitar type and combined bridge and tailpiece therefor

398,984 - R.J. Spalding - Flying Machine

398,984 – R.J. Spalding – Flying Machine

50 - Jordon L. Mott - Stove and Fireplace

50 – Jordon L. Mott – Stove and Fireplace

4,147,425 - Polaroid Corp - Photographic processing roller having a surface roughened by electric discharge machining

4,147,425 – Polaroid Corp – Photographic processing roller having a surface roughened by electric discharge machining

D,251,143 - Atari Inc - Game control console

D,251,143 – Atari Inc – Game control console

3,866,863 - National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) - Space vehicle

3,866,863 – National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) – Space vehicle

3,093,346 - National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Space capsule

3,093,346 – National Aeronautics and Space Administration – Space capsule

D181,867 - Gibson, Inc. - Stringed musical instrument

D181,867 – Gibson, Inc. – Stringed musical instrument

2,741,146 - Clarence L. Fender - Tremolo device for stringed instruments

2,741,146 – Clarence L. Fender – Tremolo device for stringed instruments

2,495,429 - Raytheon Manufacturing Co. - Method of treating foodstuffs

2,495,429 – Raytheon Manufacturing Co. – Method of treating foodstuffs

2,415,012 - James Ind. Inc. - Toy and process of use

2,415,012 – James Ind. Inc. – Toy and process of use

2,026,082 - Parker Brothers Inc. - Board game apparatus

2,026,082 – Parker Brothers Inc. – Board game apparatus

D86754 - Joseph B. Strauss - Highway Bridge Pier

D86754 – Joseph B. Strauss – Highway Bridge Pier

1,773,980 - TELEVISION LAB Inc - Television system

1,773,980 – TELEVISION LAB Inc – Television system

1,146,781 - H.L. Bowdoin - Submarine Armor

1,146,781 – H.L. Bowdoin – Submarine Armor

371,626 - C. Redl - Device for indicating life in buried persons

371,626 – C. Redl – Device for indicating life in buried persons

264,657 - Thomas A. Edison - Incandescent Electric Lamp

264,657 – Thomas A. Edison – Incandescent Electric Lamp

D11,023 - Auguste Bartholdi - Statue

D11,023 – Auguste Bartholdi – Statue