Strong, consistent IP protections throughout U.S. history enabled the creation of innovative and useful technologies that we use regularly today. From clothing to cleaning, every aspect of our lives has benefited greatly from IP, as shown by these historical examples from the month of September:
- 1938: On September 20, Wallace Carothers received a patent for the “synthetic fiber” now known as nylon. Due to the material’s durability and versatility, nylon is used today in numerous products — from parachutes to clothing to components for machinery. As of 2020, nearly 9 million tons of nylon were produced annually, with an estimated global market worth more than $29 billion.
- 1876: On September 19, Melville Bissell received a patent for the carpet sweeper, the mechanical device that was the forerunner to the vacuum cleaner. In addition to revolutionizing household cleaning, the carpet sweeper became the foundation for Bissell Inc., which remains one of the leading names in the vacuum cleaner market. Today, the U.S.-based company employs more than 2,600 people.
- 1841: On September 11, John Rand received a patent for a collapsible tube for storing paint. Later, it also became widely adopted as a method for storing toothpaste. In 2023, about 3 billion gallons of paint were produced and more than 745 million tubes of toothpaste were sold in the United States alone — highlighting the influence of Rand’s invention across multiple industries.