Strong, consistent IP protections throughout U.S. history enabled the creation of innovative and useful technologies that we use regularly today. From ice cream parlors to the ocean floor, every aspect of our lives has benefited greatly from IP, as shown by these historical examples from the month of February:
- 1904: On February 16, John Morris received a patent for a portable first-aid kit that included both medical tools and instructions on how to use them. Today, nearly half of U.S. households maintain emergency kits. Research suggests that first aid applied by bystanders may meaningfully improve trauma outcomes when hospital access is limited.
- 1902: On February 25, John Philip Holland received a patent for a submarine. Holland’s numerous submarine innovations underpinned the beginning of America’s submarine fleet, which now totals over 70 vessels and is critical to U.S. national security. Submarines also play a vital role in the economy, including by servicing undersea energy pipelines and data cables that carry roughly 99% of internet traffic.
- 1897: On February 2, Alfred Cralle, a Black inventor, received a patent for the ice cream scoop. As of 2025, the global market for ice cream was estimated at nearly $83 billion. In the United States, the ice cream industry contributes $11.6 billion to the economy and supports over 26,000 jobs; in 2024 alone, it produced over 1.3 billion gallons of ice cream.