Strong, consistent IP protections throughout U.S. history enabled the creation of innovative and useful technologies that we use regularly today. From gardening to grooming, every aspect of our lives has benefited greatly from IP, as shown by these historical examples from the month of November:
- 1975: On November 25, Robert Ledley received a patent for a machine for a new type of diagnostic X-ray procedure: the CAT or CT scan. Ledley’s invention allowed doctors to see soft tissues and internal organs non-invasively in ways that were previously impossible, enabling better diagnosis and treatment of strokes, brain tumors, traumatic brain injuries, and other life-threatening conditions. Today, these scans have become an essential part of medical practice; Americans received over 80 million CT scans in 2014 alone.
- 1928: On November 6, Jacob Schick received a patent for the first electric razor. Schick’s invention spawned a new market for electric or “dry” shaving devices, which as of 2023 was estimated to be worth nearly $12 billion The success of Schick’s electric razor also helped bolster the growth of his eponymous personal-care company, which remains one of the three largest razor brands today.
- 1858: On November 30, John Mason received a patent for the screw-top glass jar now known as a Mason jar. The jar made food preservation more accessible to Americans — improving nutrition and reducing waste — and has seen surges of popularity throughout U.S. history, including in World War II-era “victory gardens” and during the Covid-19 pandemic. As of 2024, the global market for canning jars is valued at nearly $5.5 billion.