Strong, consistent IP protections throughout U.S. history enabled the creation of innovative and useful technologies that we use regularly today. From entertainment to housework, every aspect of our lives has benefited greatly from IP, as shown by these historical examples from the month of August:
- 1960: On August 23, Peter Goldmark received a patent for the long-playing (LP) vinyl record. By enabling longer-form listening and the modern album format, the LP laid the foundation for today’s music landscape, where people spend an average of over 20 hours per week enjoying music. Vinyl records also continue to enjoy significant popularity, with 6 million records sold in the United States in 2024.
- 1903: On August 11, Satori Kato received a patent for instant coffee, creating a more convenient alternative to the traditional percolating method of coffee brewing. Today, instant coffee accounts for roughly a quarter of coffee consumed worldwide. In 2024, the global instant coffee market was estimated to be worth approximately $80 billion.
- 1812: On August 21, James Truman received a patent for an early clothes washing machine. Truman’s device mechanized the laborious process of laundry, helping pave the way for modern appliances that followed. As of 2023, nearly nine in 10 households owned a washing machine, and the U.S. market for laundry appliances was valued at over $16 billion.