The Wright Flyer Patent

The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, were two Americans who are generally credited with inventing and building the world's first successful airplane and making the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight on December 17, 1903.

The brothers developed their flying machine into the first practical fixed-wing aircraft. Although not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft, the Wright brothers were the first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed-wing flight possible.

Orville Wright (1871 - 1948) and Wilbur Wright (1867 - 1912) requested a patent application for a "flying machine" nine months before their successful flight in December 1903. Their US patent claims the invention of a system of aerodynamic control that manipulates a flying machine's surfaces.

Patent Place USA has this patent, along with all of the other Wright Brothers patents.

Father Of Invention

When the United States Patent Office celebrated its one hundredth birthday, a bust of Thomas Jefferson was dedicated recognizing him as one of the fathers of that institution. Probably no more eminent or more reluctant person held the post as examiner of American patents. As Secretary of State, Jefferson also inherited the Patent Office, a governmental function which he was originally opposed to philosophically. But, he probably did more to encourage the flourishing of American invention through his direction of the patent office than any other American in history. The patent system he created remains the basis for the patent system of today. Much of the present structure, rules, and guidelines, were established by him.

Jefferson's views on patents should not surprise those who are aware of his views about democracy and equality. He opposed patents strongly because he considered it an unfair monopoly. He would later become more in their favor when he discovered the power they had to encourage invention. For Jefferson the purpose of the patent office was to promulgate invention, not protect them. These two reasons are why he formulated a policy for patents that encouraged invention but maintained restrictions on what could be patented. Thus he was able to be true to his beliefs and perform the duties foisted upon him by the Patent Act of 1790.

The number of applications during the two years of Jefferson's term was 114 and he probably examined each one. About half of those who petitioned for patents received them because of Jefferson's strict rules. Only sixty-seven patents were granted during his tenure, among them to Eli Whitney for the cotton gin.

Jefferson's hand and influence giving protection to the inventor but access to the user, as well as the utility of the invention are still benchmarks of the United States Patent Office. He truly, should be recognized as a "Father of Invention." 

Did you know?

Here are some fun facts about some patents that we sell in our store at Patent Place USA.

• That Harry Houdini patented a DIVING SUIT ... and a DOLL?
• That SLINKY was patented by a Naval engineer who was trying to develop something for a battleship?
  
• John Lloyd Wright, son of famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, patented the famous LINCOLN LOGS?
  
• That someone actually patented the COMB-OVER? 
  
• That one of our most popular patent art print is one for a MALE CHASTITY BELT from 1908?
  
• That Pez patented a PEZ CANDY DISPENSING GUN?  Just what every child needs to learn ... how to point a gun in their mouths ... Crazy!
  
• That the only US President to hold a US patent is ABRAHAM LINCOLN?
  
• That the DRIVE-IN-THEATER was actually patented?
  
• The WRIGHT BROTHERS, from our home town of Dayton, Ohio, has several patents for the their airplanes?
  
• After WWII, PRESTON TUCKER designed, built and promoted an innovative car with features, power, and aerodynamic design never before seen and at a very good price.  His company folded after building 51 cars.

 Much more about these and other great patents in the near future!

Are all patent art prints the same?

What is a Patent Art Print?  Are they all the same?

Well, that depends on who you ask and where you look.  In most cases a patent art print will fall into one of the following grades:

Grade A (Premium Grade):
This will be a print of a patent document that has been digitally enhanced from the original US Patent Office images. The illustration pages and the text pages should be printed on parchment paper. Excellent for display, framing and for use in research, this type of print will be void of the specks, tears and smudges from years of handling in the US Patent office, as found on the lesser grades. You can also expect that the images have been centered, straightened and the illustrations may have even have been magnified or rotated for better viewing.

Grade B:
This will be a print of a patent document as it comes from the US Patent Office, with illustration pages on parchment paper, and text pages on generic white paper. This grade of print is best reserved for use in research, as this type of print will feature the specks, tears and smudges from years of handling in the US Patent office. You can also expect black edges, which are typical of photocopies and document scans which are made with scanner’s cover open.

Grade C:
This will be a print of a patent document as it comes from the US Patent Office, on generic white paper. This tends to be the way inexpensive prints are being sold. This might be fine for research, but this type of print will feature the specks, tears and smudges from years of handling in the US Patent office. You can also expect black edges, which are typical of photocopies and document scans which are made with scanner’s cover open.

Grade D (The non-print option):
This is will be some variation of an electronic file, either sent in the mail as a CD, or via email as a PDF file. This will always be a copy of the patent document as it came from the US Patent Office. Nothing more.  These images will feature the specks, tears and smudges from years of handling in the US Patent office and you can also expect black edges, which are typical of photocopies and document scans which are made with scanner’s cover open.

At Patent Place we pride ourselves in selling only the best patent art prints.  Below are some examples of what they look like before our extensive process and how they look after.

Patent Place Start

So, why did we start Patent Place USA?

It all started back in 1997 when our son broke his leg for the second time. My husband was fascinated by the little tool that the doctor had just used to remove the 50 staples from our son's incision. As the doctor made a motion to toss the little tool in the trash my husband sprang to his feet and demanded the little device, like it was the last french fry in the bottom of the McDonald's bag!

Back at home we were hardly through the door and he was on the Internet researching the origins of the funky little staple remover. Several days later he was proudly presenting our not-too-impressed son with a copy of the patent for the little gadget. "Great dad" he said, as he rolled his eyes towards me, but I could see that my husband had really enjoyed the thrill of the hunt for that silly patent. As our children grew up and moved out of our once noisy home, I realized that I needed something to fill the void before the 'empty nest' syndrome got the best of me. Fast forward to today and you see what that one little obsession has turned into? Now I've caught the bug too and admit that it's a thrill to find an elusive patent print, to clean it up and to see the final product looking as good as the day it was submitted!

We invite you to visit us at Patent Place USA, add us to your 'favorites' for future gift-giving, and help us help you find that wonderful patent art print that should be gracing the wall of your home or office by dropping us a note. We will be happy to do all the research to find it, and will add to our listings for your purchase ... all for free.