Strong, consistent IP protections throughout U.S. history enabled the creation of innovative and useful technologies that we use regularly today. From frozen treats to finance, every aspect of our lives has benefited greatly from IP, as shown by these historical examples from the month of August:
- 1924: On August 19, Frank Epperson received a patent for a “frozen confectionery” — the treat we now know as the Popsicle. He then sold the intellectual property rights to his creation to the Joe Lowe Co., which turned it into a commercially available product. Today, more than 2 billion Popsicles are sold each year, while the U.S. market for ice cream and frozen treats is valued at roughly $19 billion.
- 1888: On August 21, William Seward Burroughs received a patent for the first commercially successful calculating machine. He founded the Burroughs Corporation, which helped pioneer American computing for nearly a century before merging with Unisys. Burroughs’ invention laid the groundwork for much of today’s computing industry, such as the market for accounting software, which was valued at roughly $6 billion in 2024.
- 1888: On August 7, Theophilus Van Kannel received a patent for the revolving door, easing entry into busy buildings while sharply reducing drafts and heat loss. Revolving doors can be up to eight times more energy-efficient than conventional hinged doors. For this reason, Van Kannel’s invention remains a fixture of offices, hotels, and transit hubs worldwide more than a century after it was invented.