Arts & Humanities - 23 January 2007

I just finished reading the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. In an attempt to not have missed any valuable information- What is your oppinion on the play and what did you find to be the most important aspects of the play?

2007-01-23 05:10:02 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Theater & Acting

2007-01-23 05:07:22 · 11 answers · asked by Ed W 1 in History

any poems

2007-01-23 05:07:15 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Books & Authors

What does the word patent mean to you? Does it strike you as being something rather remote from your interests? If it does, stop and think a moment about some of the common-place things that you use every day, objects that you take for granted as part of the world around you. The telephone, radio, television, the automobile, and the thousand and one other things (even the humble safety pin) that enrich our lives today once existed only as ideas in the minds of men. If it had not been possible to patent their ideas and thus protect them against copying by others, these inventions might never have been fully developed to serve mankind.

If there were no patent protection there would be little incentive to invent and innovate, for once the details of an invention became known, hordes of imitators who did not share the inventor’s risks and expenses might well flood the market with their copies of his product and reap much of the benefit of his efforts. The technological progress that has made America great would wither rapidly under conditions such as these.

The fundamental principles in the U. S. patent structure came from England. During the glorious reign of Queen Elizabeth I in England, the expanding technology was furthered by the granting of exclusive manufacturing and selling privileges to citizens who had invented new processes or tools- a step that did much to encourage creativity. Later, when critics argued that giving monopoly rights to one person infringed on the rights of others, an important principle was added to the patent structure: The Lord Chief Justice of England stated that society had everything to gain and nothing to lose by granting exclusive privileges to an inventor, because a patent for an invention was granted for something new that society never had before.

Another basic principle was brought into law because certain influential people in England had managed to obtain monopoly control over such age-old products as salt, and had begun charging as much as the traffic would bear. The public outcry became so great that the government was forced to decree that monopoly rights could be awarded only to those who created or introduced something really unique. These principles are the mainstays of our modern patent system in the United States.

In colonial times patent law was left up to the separate states. The inconsistency, confusion, and unfairness that resulted clearly indicated the need for a uniform patent law, and the men who drew up the Constitution incorporated one. George Washington signed the first patent law on April 10, 1790, and less than four months later the first patent was issued to a man named Samuel Hopkins for a chemical process, an improved method of making potash for use in soap making.

In 1936 the Patent Office was established as a separate bureau. From the staff of eight that it maintained during its first year of operation it has grown into an organization of over 2500 people handling more than 1600 patent applications and granting over 1000 every week.

The Patent Office in Washington, D. C., is the world’s largest library of scientific and technical data, and this treasure trove of information is open for public inspection. In addition to more than 3 million U. S. patents, it houses more than 7 million foreign patents and thousands of volumes of technical literature. Abraham Lincoln patented a device to lift steam vessels over river shoals, Mark Twain developed a self-pasting scrapbook, and millionaire Cornelius Vanderbilt invented a shoe-shine kit.

A patent may be granted for any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter (a chemical compound or combinations of chemical compounds), or any distinct and new variety; of plant, including certain mutants and hybrids.

The patent system has also helped to boost the wages of the American worker to an unprecedented level; he can produce more and earn more with the computer, adding machines, drill press or lathe. Patented inventions also help keep prices down by increasing manufacturing efficiency and by stimulating the competition that is the foundation of our free enterprise system.

The decades of history have disclosed little need for modification of the patent structure. Our patent laws, like the Constitution from which they grew, have stood the test of time well. They encouraged the creative processes, brought untold benefits to society as a whole, and enabled American technology to outstrip that of the rest of the civilized world.

2007-01-23 05:05:46 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in History

2007-01-23 05:04:33 · 3 answers · asked by ebillar 1 in History

2007-01-23 04:59:37 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Philosophy

Please help

2007-01-23 04:56:26 · 7 answers · asked by wrk2 1 in History

2007-01-23 04:54:48 · 3 answers · asked by ebillar 1 in History

2007-01-23 04:52:58 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in History

If so, what does that say about the place that cyberspace transports you to?

2007-01-23 04:51:00 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Philosophy

I'm an amateur photographer and want to learn to become professional. Would someone be interested to teach me? I want to know most about taking picture from kids; in a studio or garden etc. Only seriously interested, please answer or e-mail to me @ pictureslearn@yahoo.com. Thanks in advance!!!

2007-01-23 04:47:22 · 4 answers · asked by DebNeb 1 in Photography

2007-01-23 04:43:16 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous in Painting

How to sit in it ....etc....My daughter needs this information for an interview she is scheduled for. She may become an ambassador of our city......Mobile Alabama. The Azalea Trail Maid candidates must sit correctly in this chair to pass the interview. Later she will wear an antebellum dress and greet dignitaries and tourists to our city. This is very important. Thanks

2007-01-23 04:41:31 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in History

I would rather brag about how expensive my tat was, rather than how CHEAP I am!

2007-01-23 04:41:12 · 11 answers · asked by inkinyou 1 in Drawing & Illustration

Everybody belongs to a group. Often, a person belongs to many different groups. These groups often compete with other groups for domination. Race vs Race, Countries vs Countries, States vs States, Men vs Women, Gays vs Straights, One religion vs another religion, Democrats vs Republicans, Marines vs Army, Navy and Air Force:) Sunnis vs Shiites. I am sure you can think of plenty more. Neither one of them is the superior, they are just decisions they have made and what they consider to be the best decisions. They just try to make others believe they are the superior type and try to get other people to become like they are. That is the whole point.

Just and interesting concept. Something to think about.

2007-01-23 04:39:15 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Philosophy

2007-01-23 04:38:54 · 38 answers · asked by enki 4 in Philosophy

brainiac

2007-01-23 04:37:30 · 15 answers · asked by Sterling D 1 in Philosophy

This is for Modern world History

2007-01-23 04:34:29 · 4 answers · asked by Short Cake 1 in History

2007-01-23 04:33:40 · 4 answers · asked by qhx398 1 in Theater & Acting

what countries have hip hop dance
and where is hip hop dance most popular
who is the best hip hop dancer alive

2007-01-23 04:32:32 · 2 answers · asked by zoey z 2 in Dancing

Becomes an animal or a flower? Heaven or Hell?

2007-01-23 04:30:41 · 44 answers · asked by Anonymous in Philosophy

Linda doesn't have her email on this board set up to accept a direct response. Her question was: Help find my deceased grandparents Welby and Lela Parmley buried in Cumberland Kentucky. I have information for you.

2007-01-23 04:25:36 · 1 answers · asked by dlpm 5 in Genealogy

Animal Farm Help! (10 Points)?
1. Ho did the animals concesl the fact that they were starving?

2. Describe how and why the hens began to rebel?
2a How did Napeleon react?

3. Why did Clover have doubts about the rebellion on Animal Farm?

4. Why was "Beastsof England" abolished?

5. What new song did Minius write?

2007-01-23 04:25:05 · 4 answers · asked by .::Princess::. 1 in Books & Authors

2007-01-23 04:22:27 · 5 answers · asked by Sulman M 1 in Philosophy

2007-01-23 04:19:54 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in History

My heart carries a deep apology
My eyes glisten with reminisce of tears.
No one can feel what I am feeling
…That I can not erase your fears

I want so much to make you happy again
I want to give you the sun and the stars.
There’s so much that you deserve to have,
But I only leave more scars.

What can I do to be the one that you want?
The one that you’ve dreamed of for so long.
Your every wish, your every fantasy
A woman who is strong.


Please show me the way to be the girl
That sweeps you off of your feet
To love each other forever more
To heal your heart that weeps.

2007-01-23 04:19:46 · 26 answers · asked by LaLaLaBamba 2 in Other - Arts & Humanities

this sounds realy stupid but i have an assesment at college cud anyone tell me where i could find 1920's script/dialogue or plays which would be spoken by women on a tram haha please help i cannot find this type of thing anywhere!!!!!!!
thankyou!! or anythibg similar which i cud adjust xxx thanx xxx

2007-01-23 04:19:28 · 5 answers · asked by Pinky-pie 1 in Theater & Acting

Thanks, for answering in advance!;)
>>>>>>>>

Have a nice day!

2007-01-23 04:18:50 · 33 answers · asked by Kimberly 6 in Philosophy

I like fiction dramas. I am looking for a good book that is also somewhat educational and interesting at the same time. I like social history, literature, and arts in general. I am a former English major who hasn't read that much since graduation, and would like to get back into it. What would you suggest? I have already read 'the davinci code'.
Thanks!

2007-01-23 04:18:08 · 7 answers · asked by Atousa 3 in Books & Authors

Such as Iowa or Illinois?

2007-01-23 04:15:50 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in History