Strong, consistent IP protections throughout U.S. history enabled the creation of innovative and useful technologies that we use regularly today. From frozen food to bridge construction, every aspect of our lives has benefited greatly from IP, as shown by these historical examples from the month of August:
- 1931: On August 18, Henry Bosenberg received the first-ever U.S. plant patent for a climbing rose. The rose, nicknamed “New Dawn,” remains a popular variety today and has inspired innovators to create thousands of other new flowers. Additionally, plant patents continue to help inventors improve the resilience and flavor of crops, with over 1,000 new plants being invented each year.
- 1930: On August 12, Clarence Birdseye received a patent for a new method of preparing frozen food. Birdseye’s invention spawned the frozen food industry, which today is worth almost $300 billion. Thanks to the convenience of this innovation, nearly 99% of modern U.S. households purchase frozen food each year – with more than two in three Americans consuming it weekly.
- 1846: On August 26, John A. Roebling received a patent for a suspension bridge, which he later used as the basis for several bridge construction projects, including the Brooklyn Bridge. Roebling’s innovation, which allows for longer spans than any other bridge design, opened up new transportation possibilities. It continues to drive economic activity today, with nearly 140,000 vehicles traversing the Brooklyn Bridge daily.