Strong, consistent IP protections throughout U.S. history enabled the creation of innovative and useful technologies that we use regularly today. From telecommunications to trade, every aspect of our lives has benefited greatly from IP, as shown by these historical examples from the month of February:
- 1990: On February 13, Klein Gilhousen, Irwin Jacobs, and Lindsay Weaver received a patent for a new data transmission technology. Their invention enabled the inception of the mobile phone industry, which was valued at over $450 billion in 2021. After being steadily improved over the years, the technology is known today as 5G — which is expected to generate $13.2 trillion in economic value and over 22 million jobs globally by 2035.
- 1865: On February 21, John Deere received a patent for an improved plow. The invention helped revolutionize agriculture, an industry expected to produce nearly $590 billion in value for the U.S. economy this year. It also helped Deere’s company become a leader in agricultural equipment — a status it retains today with over $50 billion in net sales and revenue in 2024.
- 1811: On February 9, Robert Fulton received a patent for an improved steamboat. This innovation spurred economic growth by opening new markets and creating efficient trade routes, resulting in the rapid growth of cities like Cincinnati and Louisville. It was also crucial in bolstering the trade of agricultural products and enabling travel through the growing United States.