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U.S. Patent & Trademark Office

@uspto

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Shaping the future by telling the story of American innovation.

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#OTD in 1911, utility Patent No. 1 Million was granted to inventor Francis H. Holton for a tubeless vehicle tire. This event marked the first time any nation had reached the milestone of 1 million patent grants. It also revealed how strengthening the patent system since its inception in 1790 had accelerated American innovation.

Holton received his patent just as automobiles were becoming practical, safe, and affordable for American families, and he had been working in the field of rubber manufacturing for decades. His tire design was a durable and less expensive alternative for the pneumatic tires available at the time, showing that occasionally, it’s okay to reinvent the wheel. 🛞 The image features a vintage newspaper-style design highlighting the milestone of one million patents reached on August 8, 1911. It includes references to Thomas Edison and the inventor Francis H. Holton. The background has text about patents and a large illustration of an individual. by @uspto

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Going camping this summer? ⛺

Before you hit the trail, don’t forget to cross these patented camping essentials off your list:

🏕️ A portable, enclosed shelter (U.S. Patent No. 11,002,037) designed to be quickly assembled and provide a comfortable outdoor living space.

🔥 A foldable stove (U.S. Patent No. 10,598,384) that packs flat for easy transport and storage while making campsite marshmallow roasting more convenient.

😴 A sleeping bag with an adjustable length (U.S. Patent No. 6,073,282) to better fit campers of different heights while helping retain warmth.

🥾 A backpack that combines storage with survival features (U.S. Patent No. 3,144,014), keeping you safe and stocked up on essential gear during outdoor adventures.

Innovation is always part of the adventure. Where are you pitching your tent this summer? A green camping tent is set up next to a campfire with logs and flames, surrounded by illustrated pine trees. Text above reads, "Patented essentials for your summer camping trip. by @uspto

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Who let the dog (patents) out? 🐶 We did!

The dog days of summer are the hottest part of the year, from July 3 through August 11, when the humidity rises and the pavement can burn your paws if you’re not careful. It’s the perfect time to fetch a few inventions dedicated to our four-legged friends. 🐾

Canines who favor a game of tug of war can amuse themselves with Elbert Garrison’s patented pet pull toy, while their humans relax and work on their tan.

Children who may not have a real pup to call their own can take heart in furry friend-shaped toys, including Helen Malsed’s patented design for the Slinky dog, a variation of the iconic Slinky, which was later reimagined for @Pixar's animated film "Toy Story."

Patented technology also helps keep our canine companions cool and hydrated during the summer heat. Robert Bernays’ water bowl fountain supplies pets with a fresh source of running water. The spring-loaded platform allows the dog to activate the fountain, meaning they can access cool and fresh water even on the hottest days. ☀️

Inventors have been leading the pack when it comes to keeping humans and our fur babies happy and healthy.

#USPTO
#Patents
#Trademarks
#USPatentandTrademarkOffice
#AmericasInnovationAgency
#Innovation
#AuthenticitytheNameoftheGame A playful collage features two dogs in the foreground, one with floppy ears and another with a tongue out. Above them, a humorous headline says, "The dog days of summer have us howling over these patented inventions." In the background, sketches depict dogs interacting with inventive gadgets. The image has a light green background with paw prints on the headline banner. by @uspto

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The Hollywood Walk of Fame is welcoming a new class of stars in 2027!

Some of your favorite celebrities across movies, television, music, theater, sports, and radio will receive stars along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street next year.

Did you know that the iconic Hollywood star is a registered trademark? The famous star design is protected by U.S. Reg. No. 6,139,186, owned by the @hollywoodchamberofcommerce. That trademark helps protect one of the entertainment industry’s most recognizable symbols and ensures its use is associated with the authentic Hollywood Walk of Fame experience.
Talk about IP with star power. 🌟 Image of a trademark registration certificate for the "Hollywood" sign, issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The registration number is 6,139,186. The address listed is Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, 6255 Sunset Blvd, Ste 150, Hollywood, California 90028. The iconic "Hollywood" sign is visible in the background. by @uspto

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The first patent in U.S. history was granted #OTD in 1790!

The patent, which was issued to Samuel Hopkins for a method of making potash and pearl ash, was signed by both Attorney General Edmund Randolph and President George Washington.

As president, Washington advocated for the creation of a patent system, resulting in the landmark Patent Act of 1790. Since July 31, 1790, we’ve issued more than 12 million patents. by @uspto

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Marco…Polo!

Published on this day in 1997, U.S. Design Patent D381,781 protects the ornamental design of a swimming pool leaf and debris removal net. While utility patents protect how an invention works, design patents protect how it looks.

Summer pool days are better with IP that makes a splash. Ready to cannonball into patent protection for your own invention? Learn more about patent basics:
https://bit.ly/3TuUt96 A swimming pool with a leafy pool net and floating inflatables, including a pink flamingo and a striped air mattress. The image features a large "United States Patent" label with "Swimming Pool Leaf and Debris Removal Net, Des. 381,781. by @uspto

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Some say laughter is the best medicine, but we think actual medicine is pretty great too.

Many patented inventions are life-changing, and some are even lifesaving. Let’s take a look at a few landmark innovations in the field of medical treatments, as well as the inventors behind them:

🩹 Earle Dickson was granted a patent in 1926 for an adhesive bandage designed to cover minor cuts and burns. The invention, marketed under the trademark Band-Aid, made first aid simpler and became one of the most widely used medical consumer products in the world.

💊 Andrew Moyer was granted a patent in 1948 for a method of mass-producing penicillin using deep-tank fermentation, which made the antibiotic available on a large scale. His process helped turn penicillin into a practical medicine, saving countless lives.

💉 Lewis H. Sarett was granted a patent in 1949 for a method of synthesizing cortisone, making it possible to produce the hormone in quantities large enough for practical medical use. It is now a widely available steroid treatment for inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

❤️‍🩹 Miguel A. Ondetti and David W. Cushman were granted a patent in 1978 for captopril, the first ACE inhibitor. A drug that lowered blood pressure by blocking a key step in the body’s hormone system, the invention helped transform the treatment of hypertension and heart failure.

⚕️ James P. Allison and colleagues were granted a patent in 1998 for a cancer immunotherapy approach that blocked CTLA-4 and helped unleash the body’s immune system against tumors.

The invention helped change oncology by turning the body’s own defenses into a treatment tool.
Stay tuned next week to learn about patented medical devices! by @uspto

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Attention, thrill-seekers!

Summer's here, the sun is shining, and it's the perfect time to get your heart pumping with a trip to the amusement park. For more than a century, rides and attractions have combined engineering, storytelling, and technology to create experiences that seem almost magical – and intellectual property has played a starring role in making that magic happen.

Inventor Granville T. Woods received a patent for an electric railway system that led to the world’s first electric roller coaster, Figure Eight, which debuted at Coney Island, New York, in 1892.

Then came @Disney, where innovation is part of the attraction itself. The iconic Matterhorn Bobsleds debuted in 1959 as the world’s first tubular steel track roller coaster, made possible by engineers and @inventorsHOF Inductees Karl Bacon and Ed Morgan, whose patented invention changed coaster design forever.

@unistudios has also relied on patents to blur the line between movies and reality. Patents behind attractions like Jurassic Park and JAWS helped convince guests they were escaping dinosaurs and great white sharks.

The next time you’re waiting in line for your favorite ride, remember that IP is working behind the scenes to keep the thrills coming. A vintage photograph of a roller coaster labeled "G. T. Woods Amusement Apparatus," patented December 19, 1899. The image features a wooden roller coaster structure with a diagram labeled "Fig. 8 Roller Coaster 1899" in the lower left corner. Annotations include patent number 639,692. A building with a pyramid-shaped roof is visible to the right. The photo is attributed to the Frederick Fried Coney Island Collection at Columbia University. by @uspto

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“There’s a right and a wrong in this universe. That distinction’s not hard to make.” – Superman

As America’s Branding Agency, we help protect the brands behind the movies, TV shows, music, and stories that have entertained, inspired, and connected generations of Americans. Roll credits on a few iconic entertainment trademarks:

🦸 @superman first soared onto the pages of Action Comics in 1938, becoming one of the world’s first superheroes and a pop culture icon whose famous “S” shield is recognized around the globe.

🧸 @sesamestreet debuted on public television in 1969, introducing generations of children to beloved characters like Big Bird, Elmo, and Cookie Monster while making learning fun.

🌌 @starwars blasted into theaters in 1977, changing science fiction filmmaking and inspiring one of the most recognizable entertainment franchises in history.

🎤 Motown Records in Detroit in 1959 introduced audiences to legendary artists like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross & The Supremes, and The Jackson 5. Later, @MTV revolutionized how audiences discovered music through music videos.

🎥 @paramountpics and @unistudios, both founded in 1912, are among Hollywood’s oldest film studios. Their iconic logos have appeared before classics and blockbuster hits for more than a century.

📼 Blockbuster movie rentals became a symbol of family movie nights in the 1990s before the streaming era, led largely by @Netflix, which reinvented home entertainment with award-winning original TV shows and movies.

America’s Branding Agency is proud to support the creators and innovators behind the entertainment that shapes our culture. by @uspto

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