Friday, June 30, 2006

Interesting Facts

To qualify for induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame an inventor and his/her invention must:

contribute significantly to the nation's welfare,
promote the progress of science and useful arts,
be covered by a United States Patent.
February 11th is Thomas Edison's birthday. It's also the date inventors, selected for induction into the Hall of Fame, are honored at a ceremony in Arlington, Virginia, at the Patent and Trademark office during National Inventors Day.

Did you know?
• Our third president Thomas Jefferson was also an inventor. He is credited with inventing the swivel chair, pedometer, a hemp-treating machine, a decoding device, and an improved type of plow. He never received patents for any of his inventions.

Did you know?
• Abraham Lincoln is the only United States President who was ever issued a patent. He invented a device to help steamboats pass over sand bars. It was never manufactured.

Did you know?
• Benjamin Franklin is famous for inventing the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, and bifocal glasses. He refused to patent any of his inventions, seeing them instead as contributions to society.

What CAN'T you patent?
the laws of nature
an abstract idea
a new mineral or plant found in the wild
printed matter
a machine that is NOT useful
human beings

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