I used to work in the Intellectual Property department of a law firm. In other words: Nerds defending other nerds for the rights to the stuff they invented. Oftentimes I had to do research on particular patents, and the USPTO (United States Patent & Trademark Office) was a good place to start.
Free Patents Online has a nice Patent Number Quick Search field in the top right corner where you can type in a bunch of digits and see what's attached to that number. Let's say you type in 445881, you'll get a 1891 patent for a tobacco pouch. It's funny to think that some dude long ago invented something that got US Patent 1. This site doesn't go that far back obviously, but if you type in a 5, 6, or 7 digit random number, you'll get 1800's patents that are illustrated beautifully and interesting to peruse. Obviously the smaller the number, the older the patent. Patents these days are like 50,000 numbers. Ok, not 50,000 but it's up there.
Here's an example: I punched in 445, 880 and got a Breech Loading Gun, patented on February 3, 1891.
Old patents will not have a text version, so make sure to click where it says
Click here for the PDF version of this Patent. That Patent does not exist in text form.
That is, if you give a shit about this kind of crap like I do.
For some bizarre--but true-- patents, check out the Crazy Patent link in the left sidebar. Once you're there click on the item of interest--Protective Underwear With Malodorous Fart Filter US5593398 for example--go right down to the View PDF images part.
Reading wouldn't be fun without pictures, now would it?
1 comment:
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6990762 or 6640750.
I took the wrong career path,
Cats are where it's at...
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