About this ebook
A thoughtful look at our history of innovation, the problems with the patent system, and the prospects for America’s future.
America loves innovation and the can-do spirit that made this country what it is—a world leader in self-government, industry and technology, and pop culture. Everything about America has at one point or another been an experiment and a leap of faith. And one such experiment—upon which all others depend for success—is the US Patent System.
Why Has America Stopped Inventing? takes a close look at why this experiment appears to be failing, and why America has all but stopped inventing. Our belief that we are the most innovative people on earth is mistaken. Statistics show that today we invent less than half of what our counterparts did a hundred and fifty years ago.
Where are the groundbreaking inventions comparable to those from the Industrial Revolution? Why have we been using the same mode of transportation for over a century? Why are we giving trillions to hostile foreign nations for imported oil when we have the talent to solve the nation’s energy crisis? We don’t have these desperately needed technologies because regular Americans have given up on inventing.
This book explains why, comparing the experiences of America’s most successful nineteenth-century inventors with those of today and sharing fascinating historical anecdotes: Jefferson refusing to waste any more weekends examining patent applications; Whitney being robbed of his fortune while the South’s wealth exploded; the patent models that kept British soldiers from burning Washington’s last-standing federal building; the formation of Lincoln’s cabinet; and Selden crippling the entire US auto industry. It also tells the story of the Wright brothers’ airplane monopoly, the Colt revolver’s role in the Mexican American War, the Sewing Machine wars, the last six months of Daniel Webster’s life, and the fraudulently created Bell Empire.
America loves innovation and the can-do spirit that made this country what it is—a world leader in self-government, industry and technology, and pop culture. Everything about America has at one point or another been an experiment and a leap of faith. And one such experiment—upon which all others depend for success—is the US Patent System.
Why Has America Stopped Inventing? takes a close look at why this experiment appears to be failing, and why America has all but stopped inventing. Our belief that we are the most innovative people on earth is mistaken. Statistics show that today we invent less than half of what our counterparts did a hundred and fifty years ago.
Where are the groundbreaking inventions comparable to those from the Industrial Revolution? Why have we been using the same mode of transportation for over a century? Why are we giving trillions to hostile foreign nations for imported oil when we have the talent to solve the nation’s energy crisis? We don’t have these desperately needed technologies because regular Americans have given up on inventing.
This book explains why, comparing the experiences of America’s most successful nineteenth-century inventors with those of today and sharing fascinating historical anecdotes: Jefferson refusing to waste any more weekends examining patent applications; Whitney being robbed of his fortune while the South’s wealth exploded; the patent models that kept British soldiers from burning Washington’s last-standing federal building; the formation of Lincoln’s cabinet; and Selden crippling the entire US auto industry. It also tells the story of the Wright brothers’ airplane monopoly, the Colt revolver’s role in the Mexican American War, the Sewing Machine wars, the last six months of Daniel Webster’s life, and the fraudulently created Bell Empire.
About the author
Darin Gibby is a patent attorney with Kilpatrick Townsend and has nearly twenty years of experience in obtaining patents on hundreds of inventions from the latest mountain bikes to life-saving cardiac equipment. He has built IP portfolios for numerous Fortune 500 companies and has monetized patents on a range of products from computer disk drives to in-line skates. He is a sought-after speaker on IP issues at businesses, colleges and technology forums.
Rate this ebook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
