Strong, consistent IP protections throughout U.S. history enabled the creation of innovative and useful technologies that we use regularly today. From medicine to mass media, every aspect of our lives has benefited greatly from IP, as shown by these historical examples from the month of April:
- 1974: On April 9, Phil Brooks received a patent for a disposable syringe. His innovation made it easier for doctors to administer injectable medications quickly and safely, helping prevent infections and stop the transmission of pathogens like hepatitis and HIV. Today, roughly 16 billion injections are administered around the world each year.
- 1953: On April 21, Fred Barton received a patent for the first teleprompter. His invention allowed speakers to read prepared remarks while looking directly at a camera, transforming television news and broadcasting. Teleprompters are still used in virtually every broadcast studio, helping deliver the daily news to more than half of Americans.
- 1863: On April 14, William Bullock received a patent for an improved printing machine that used a continuous roll of paper to print and cut sheets more efficiently. Known as a “rotary press,” Bullock’s machine could produce up to 12,000 newspapers per hour. Over the next century, Bullock’s invention helped drive the growth of the newspaper industry, which at its peak delivered over 63 million papers each day.