Patent Plaques, Patent Cubes, Patent Awards, IP Plaques, IP Cubes and IP Awards

Today in History, Nothing Was Invented

Invention Geek — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:02:35 +0000

Ok, that’s a lie. I’m sorry, but after this morning’s fact-checking debacle, I just couldn’t resist. To be fair, my morning started out “normal enough” as I perused the web for a good invention history factoid to share with you on our daily Today in Invention History Facebook posting. I got pretty excited when I discovered that [...]

Joseph Nicephore Niépce

Invention Geek — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:55:36 +0000

Photography has come a long way from the first photographs. Photography has now progressed past the need for film and chemicals to the realm of sd cards and computer processing. The first photograph was taken by the Frenchman, Joseph Nicephore Niépce. Joseph Nicephore Niépce was fascinated with lithography but he did not have a steady drawing [...]

Invention Geek – State Patents?

Invention Geek — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:59:14 +0000

Question from Heidi T.: Hello Invention Geek, In what state have the most patents been issued? Heidi T. Hi Heidi, California is the clear winner in the patent competition between the states. California has received more patents than any other state in the U.S. Also, each year since 1997, inventors in California were granted many more patents than those from [...]

Invention Geek Question – Color Trademark?

Invention Geek — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:53:06 +0000

Question from Amy K.: Hello Invention Geek, Can you trademark a color? Amy K. Hi Amy, In some cases, yes, a color can be trademarked. In 1995, The Supreme Court ruled in Qualitex Co. v. Jacobson Products Co., Inc. that a color can be trademarked under certain circumstances. The court ruled that in order for a color to be trademarked it [...]

End Of An Era

Invention Geek — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 14:46:31 +0000

The light bulb that is synonymous with Thomas Edison has reached the end of its hey day. After over 130 years, the light bulb whose design has virtually remained unchanged, will slowly no longer be imported or produced here in the United States. Starting on January 2, 2012, the 100W incandescent bulb will be the [...]

Invention Geek – Corkscrew

Invention Geek — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:05:05 +0000

Question from Martha P.: Hello Invention Geek, Who patented the first corkscrew? Martha P. Hi Martha, The first patent for a corkscrew was granted in England to Rev. Samuel Henshell. He received British Patent Number 2061 on August 24, 1795. Henshell’s design was simply an improvement of the various corkscrews being used at the time. The original corkscrew was based on [...]

Patents for the Christmas Tree

Invention Geek — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:55:58 +0000

The Christmas tree is the center of the decorations for Christmas. While the tree brings joy and beauty to the Christmas season, there are many problems associated with this Christmas tradition. Inventors are constantly coming up with new solutions to decorating the tree, watering the tree, and new kinds of Christmas trees. So it seems that [...]

Invention Geek – Yellow Freight Logo?

Invention Geek — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:47:36 +0000

Question from John M.: Hello Invention Geek, Every time I am on the highway, I see a Yellow Freight truck. It has always bothered me that part of the truck and the logo are orange. Why is the Yellow logo orange? John M. Hi John, The Yellow Transit Company was formed in 1924 by an Oklahoma City taxi driver, [...]

The Wright Brothers Patent Wars

Invention Geek — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:13:14 +0000

The Wright Brothers built the world’s first successful airplane. On December 17, 1903, the brothers made the first powered flight in North Carolina. The flight last for only 12 seconds with the aircraft only ever reaching a height of 20 feet off of the ground. Still, the flight was ground breaking. This flight led to the [...]

Invention Geek – Smith Brothers?

Invention Geek — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:22:16 +0000

Question from Jeremy B.: Hello Invention Geek, What are the real names of the men pictured on the Smith Brother’s cough drop logo? Jeremy B. Hi Jeremy, The men pictured on the Smith Brother’s logo are actually William and Andrew Smith. In 1872, to prevent stores from selling other cough drops as their product and to address issues of hygiene, [...]