Since 1790 the United States Patent Office has granted more than 6 million patents. The number of patents issued increased dramatically during the 19th century, stimulated by the American industrial revolution and further fueling it. The middle and late 19th century was a golden age for American invention. The technology envisioned by American inventors has improved our standard of living and linked us across physical and cultural divides. The Smithsonian preserves thousands of the models that inventors were required to submit with patent applications before 1880.

Inventions Stories Index

Invention at Play: Inventors’ Stories

Behind Every Invention There’s a Story

Spark Lab – Inventor Profiles

Charles F. Brannock – Joseph B Friedman – Charlotte Cramer Sachs

Inventors Links

Inventions Links

Zoom Inventors and Inventions

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