Patent Facts

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We know that a patent is a form of intellectual property that gives its owner the legal right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention. But you may not have known about some of the interesting facts shown in this article; derived from extensive research and PatBase, our robust patent database from which to search, review, share and analyse business-critical patent information and non-patent literature.

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When was the first patent granted for the telephone?

On February 14, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell was awarded the first successful patent for a telephone. Although Alexander’s design was the first one patented, there was a lot of controversy surrounding the invention, as Alexander was not the first inventor to come up with the idea. There were many other inventors such as Elisha Gray and Antonio Meucc who also developed a talking telegraph.

The automatic saluting device

Back in 1896, James C. Boyle, from the State of Washington, invented the “New and Improved Saluting Device”. Instead of using your hands to tip your hat, the invention allowed wearers to automatically salute passers-by by tipping their head. The mechanical device underneath the hat included a gear wheel and gravity block that would shift the hat into the direction of the passer-by, without needing to lift a finger, see the diagram shown on the right used in the patent file (Image source: PatBase).

The interesting story behind how the microwave was discovered and when the first patent was filed for it

In 1945, a radar engineer, Percy Spencer while working at Raytheon was testing one of his magnetrons, a device that powers radars. Percy made an interesting discovery when he stuck his hand in his pocked and noticed a chocolate bar had melted. Later that year, Percy filed a patent for the first microwave oven. The microwave ovens back then were very large, nearly six feet tall and weighing more than 750lbs with a cost at $5000 — the equivalent of more than $50,000 in today’s currency.

What was the first patent filed in Germany?

On 2 July 1877, the first German patent was granted for a “production process for a red ultramarine colour”, very lightfast, inorganic pigments of different colours with a similar chemical structure. The minerals previously used for pigment production were imported into Europe “across the sea”, which is how the term ultramarine came about. The inventor was Johann Zeltner of Nürnberger Ultramarin-Fabrik. On 11 July 1877, the ceremonial opening session took place at the imperial chancellery. Today, there are over 2,400,000 patents filed in Germany.

A weird and wonderful patent that might save you time in the morning

If you find making your bed in the morning a thankless task, then this one is for you! In 1999 Tabor Browder patented an automatic bed maker, which was designed to remove the daily chore of making beds in the morning. The bed maker uses the expansion of inflatable bladder to straighten, align, and tuck-in bedcovers. Where do we sign up?

Who is the only president to hold a patent, and what was the invention?

Abraham Lincoln was granted Patent No. 6469 in 1849 for a device that could be filled with air to allow a ship to pass through shoals of fish or shallow water. Abraham Lincoln is the only president to date to hold a patent, although it was never actually used. According to Abraham Lincoln Online, Lincoln's law partner, William Herndon, observed, "The invention was never applied to any vessel, so far as I ever learned, and the threatened revolution in steamboat architecture and navigation never came to pass.

Who invented the fire hydrant?

It is not known who invented the fire hydrant. Ironically the patent was destroyed in a fire at the U.S Patent Office in 1836, along with many other patent records.

What was the first patent filed in France?

The first patent filed in France was in 1555. It was awarded to the French engineer, mathematician, poet and inventor Abel Foullon for “Usaige & Description de l’Holmetre” which is a type of rangefinger. Unfortunately, the publication was delayed until after the patent expired in 1561. Today, there are around 1,200,000 patents filed in France.

Which historic patent was granted exactly 600 years ago for a prestigious engineering project on one of the most visited landmarks in Italy?

In 1421, a patent was granted by the city-state of Florence to Filippo Brunelleschi, for engineering the dome of the Florence cathedral. The patent was for the invention of carrying heavy loads such as large slabs of marble, up the Arno River for the construction of the Florence cathedral. The boat design was named 'Il Badalone'. The grant meant that Brunelleschi was able to exclude all transport on the Arno River for three years.

Which company owns or has filed the highest number of patents?

Covering the last 20 years, Samsung owns the highest number of granted patents, with Panasonic, LG and Canon following as runners up. Even for the full period, companies in Japan and Korea are at the pinnacle of the list. When it comes to published applications, Panasonic has filed the highest number of patents and Samsung is second.

Which country has the most granted patents?

Covering the last 20 years, the US has the top spot with 4,784,107 granted patents. Following after, is China with 4,231,474 granted patents.

What was the first patent filed in the UK?

The first patent was granted in the UK was in 1449 to John of Utynam by King Henry VI for a glass making process which produced stained glass that would complete the windows of the Eton College, a public school in the town of Eton, in Berkshire, England. John of Utyman was issued a Letters Patent from the sovereign, sealed with the Great Seal. John of Utyman was therefore the first known recipient of receiving a patent in the UK.

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