2006-09-12 17:55:20 · 6 answers · asked by neo 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Patents are much older that the US Patent Office!
The earliest known English patent for invention was granted by Henry VI to Flemish-born John of Utynam in 1449. The patent gave John a 20-year monopoly for a method of making stained glass, required for the windows of Eton College, that had not been previously known in England.
Thats 43 years before Christopher Columbus discovered America, and 327 years before the US declared independence!
2006-09-14 08:45:43 · answer #1 · answered by bilbybobo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The United States Patent Office was established in 1790. The very first patent was issued July 31 of that year to one Samuel Hopkins. Hopkins, whose exact identity has been questioned, patented a process for making potash and pearl ash, types of potassium compounds used to make soap and fertilizer. The patent was signed by President George Washington and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson.
2006-09-13 01:03:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The patent?
I dont know, I looked on the patent website for number 0 and 1, nothing came up, Im curious about this myself!
2006-09-13 01:03:05 · answer #3 · answered by Peter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The method used to process patents was the first thing to be patented.
2006-09-13 01:07:51 · answer #4 · answered by almintaka 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "Traction Wheel" by John Ruggles:
http://www.patentstation.com/mdm/tractionwheels.htm
*edit* This was the first "numbered" patent after the Patent Act. Answer above is probably better...
2006-09-13 01:03:51 · answer #5 · answered by AZKludgeQueen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the c o c k ring
2006-09-13 01:21:36 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋