This
year, we celebrate the bicentennial of the Patent Office. In June of 1802,
Secretary of State James Madison gave the Patent Office the status of
a distinct unit or division within the Department of State by putting
Dr. William Thornton in charge of issuing patents. During the 12 years
between the time the first patent act was signed in 1790 and Dr. Thornton
took over the office, the duty of granting patents was placed with a three-member
patent board-consisting of the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War,
and the Attorney General-and later only the Secretary of State. During
those 12 years, patent board members found it difficult to spare time
from their regular duties to devote to patent matters.
Dr.
William Thornton served as the first "chief" and later "superintendent"
of the Patent Office from June 1, 1802, until he died on March 28, 1828.
Dr. Thornton was a man of marked individuality, culture, and intelligence.
He was born in the British West Indies and received his medical degree
at Edinburgh, Scotland. He came to the United States in 1786, and two
years later became a citizen. Dr. Thornton first achieved prominence in
this country by designing the original plans for the Capitol, for which
he was given $500 and a plot of land. He was a close personal friend of
James Madison, and was intimately acquainted with the prominent men of
his time. As head of the Patent Office, he devoted himself wholeheartedly
to the task of promoting the benefits of the patent system. He even took
out a number of patents himself-a practice later forbidden for all Patent
Office employees.
During
the next several months, the United States Patent and Trademark Office
will join with the National Inventors Hall of Fame and other members of
the American intellectual property community to celebrate the USPTO's
200 years of fostering innovation. Be watching our website for periodic
updates on bicentennial events and activities.
October 16-17 Bicentennial Celebration
October 16
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Bicentennial Ceremony Department of Commerce
auditorium (Open to the Press)
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
USPTO Museum official opening of the Bicentennial exhibit
Crystal Park 2, Arlington VA. 22202 (Open to the Press)
6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Bicentennial Dinner Great Hall of the Library of Congress
(Open to the Press)
October 17
9:30 AM
Topping off ceremony for the 1st two buildings at the
USPTO's new Carlyle site Alexandria, VA (Open to the Press)
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This
year, we celebrate the bicentennial of the Patent Office. In June of 1802,
Secretary of State James Madison gave the Patent Office the status of
a distinct unit or division within the Department of State by putting
Dr. William Thornton in charge of issuing patents. During the 12 years
between the time the first patent act was signed in 1790 and Dr. Thornton
took over the office, the duty of granting patents was placed with a three-member
patent board-consisting of the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War,
and the Attorney General-and later only the Secretary of State. During
those 12 years, patent board members found it difficult to spare time
from their regular duties to devote to patent matters.
Dr.
William Thornton served as the first "chief" and later "superintendent"
of the Patent Office from June 1, 1802, until he died on March 28, 1828.
Dr. Thornton was a man of marked individuality, culture, and intelligence.
He was born in the British West Indies and received his medical degree
at Edinburgh, Scotland. He came to the United States in 1786, and two
years later became a citizen. Dr. Thornton first achieved prominence in
this country by designing the original plans for the Capitol, for which
he was given $500 and a plot of land. He was a close personal friend of
James Madison, and was intimately acquainted with the prominent men of
his time. As head of the Patent Office, he devoted himself wholeheartedly
to the task of promoting the benefits of the patent system. He even took
out a number of patents himself-a practice later forbidden for all Patent
Office employees.
During
the next several months, the United States Patent and Trademark Office
will join with the National Inventors Hall of Fame and other members of
the American intellectual property community to celebrate the USPTO's
200 years of fostering innovation. Be watching our website for periodic
updates on bicentennial events and activities.