Strong, consistent IP protections throughout U.S. history enabled the creation of innovative and useful technologies that we use regularly today. From hospitals to housework, every aspect of our lives has benefited greatly from IP, as shown by these historical examples from the month of December:
- 1948: On December 14, David Slovin received a patent for a method of producing synthetic rubber latex, a versatile material used in the production of construction materials, cookware, medical products, and more. In 2023, 14 million metric tons of synthetic rubber were produced around the world. By 2029, the worldwide market for synthetic latex is expected to surpass $53 million.
- 1933: On December 26, Edwin Armstrong received a patent for his invention of FM radio, which has been adopted as the standard for radio and TV audio broadcasting, as well as communicating with satellites. Today, more than two-thirds of America’s 15,000+ radio stations are dedicated to FM broadcasting, and AM/FM radio reaches over nine in 10 Americans each month. In 2023, the global radio broadcasting industry was estimated to be worth almost $150 billion.
- 1886: On December 28, Josephine Cochrane received a patent for her invention of the first modern dishwasher machine. This invention and its subsequent iterations created substantial time savings for women and domestic workers, revolutionizing the economy. Today, about half of U.S. households are estimated to own a dishwasher, while the global market for them is valued at over $9 billion as of 2023.