America’s innovative journey

A tool used on the moon that is now a household item. Toys that make the past come to life. One of our nation’s most powerful symbols of liberty. 

Over the past 250 years, inventors and entrepreneurs have used their ingenuity, talents, and determination to expand upon the ideals laid out in the Declaration of Independence. From a future president’s work to make river travel safer to a Navy veteran’s contributions to creating an affordable light bulb, inventors made life better for all Americans. Innovators helped troops land on the beaches of Normandy during D-Day, designed the Medal of Honor, and fought for the right to vote. 

Behind all of these icons was an innovative journey.

The USPTO seeks to inspire and encourage innovation by highlighting real inventors and entrepreneurs throughout history. As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, explore a few of the stories from our Journeys of Innovation series. 

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Seeds of change
Suffragist inventors
Inventors and the right to vote Full Story >
Abraham Lincoln in the foreground with historical patent documents and a sketch of a steamboat on a river in the background
A guide through troubled waters
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln, the inventor Full Story >
The Statue of Liberty fading into a sketch from left to right, with the torch and Bartholdi’s patent in the background
Lighting the way
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty’s patented design Full Story >
A photo of Mark Twain appears on the page of an old book. The page also shows the Mississippi River and clippings from one of his trademark and patent certificates.
Unswerving irregularity
Samuel Clemens
Mark Twain the writer; Samuel Clemens the inventor Full Story >
a 19th century black and white portrait of a very studious Black man wearing glasses superimposed in an image of documents on a drafting table
Bringing light for all
Lewis Latimer
Lewis Latimer overcame racism, educational challenges to play an integral role in many key inventions that we use today. Full Story >
Bathed in sunshine, a young girl with a bowl-cut wearing a jeans jumper and socks, cozily curls up on a pillowy, pastel-floral window seat and reads to her doll from a book in her lap. Several additional books whose covers match the doll by her side are strewn about.
A girl’s window into history
Pleasant Rowland
How Pleasant Rowland’s American Girl® helped tweens find their place in history Full Story >
Black and white photos of Henry Baker and George Washington Murray, two African American men wearing suits and ties, with a handwritten list of inventors and their patents in the background
Found on Baker’s list
Henry Baker and George Washington Murray
Documenting the history of Black innovation one name at a time Full Story >
An older man, George Gillespie, in full military uniform with several medals, including the Medal of Honor pinned to his lapel.
Uncommon design, uncommon valor
George Gillespie
How George Gillespie, a Civil War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, redesigned and patented America's highest military award. Full Story >
Jim and Jane Henson pose with several puppets.
Reframing entertainment
Jim Henson
An artist, puppeteer, and innovator, Jim Henson created the Muppets and forever changed the entertainment business. Full Story >
United States postage stamp showing the trefoil badge and Juliette Gordon Low in a Girl Scout uniform.
A patent for girls’ empowerment
Juliette Gordon Low
Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girls Scouts of the USA, created a lasting organization for women’s empowerment. Full Story >
Image: The Black and Decker cordless Lunar Drill operated by an astronaut on a simulated surface of moon
Moondust and marketing magic
Carroll Gantz
How NASA's moon missions and a patented design led to a popular hand-held vacuum cleaner. Full Story >
Image: Helmeted U.S. soldiers look out over the prow of a Higgens boat as it navigates crashing waves towards the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.
The patented boat that won the war
Andrew Higgins
How a New Orleans inventor helped defeat the Nazis. Full Story >
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