1 00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:03,870 We live in a time of great change and breathtaking progress. 2 00:00:03,870 --> 00:00:08,870 The last century alone has borne witness to more innovation than in any previous age of 3 00:00:08,870 --> 00:00:10,160 human history. 4 00:00:10,160 --> 00:00:12,339 But serious challenges remain. 5 00:00:12,339 --> 00:00:17,100 In 2018: 844 million people had no access to drinking 6 00:00:17,100 --> 00:00:21,689 water.¬¬ 1.1 billion lived without electricity. 7 00:00:21,689 --> 00:00:26,020 2.3 billion lived without access to toilets or latrines. 8 00:00:26,020 --> 00:00:32,930 And at least half of the world’s 7.3 billion people still lacked essential health services. 9 00:00:32,930 --> 00:00:38,170 For many of us, these problems are difficult to imagine, much less solve. 10 00:00:38,170 --> 00:00:40,440 But technology can help. 11 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:48,289 Which is why in 2013 the USPTO started Patents for Humanity, to recognize and reward groundbreaking 12 00:00:48,289 --> 00:00:53,079 innovations that address the world’s most pressing humanitarian problems, in: 13 00:00:53,079 --> 00:00:59,489 Household energy, living standards, medicine, nutrition, and sanitation. 14 00:00:59,489 --> 00:01:04,111 Past award winners include: Nokero, for a low-cost solar light for the 15 00:01:04,111 --> 00:01:05,470 developing world. 16 00:01:05,470 --> 00:01:10,810 Golden Rice, for creating vitamin-A enriched rice that prevents blindness and death. 17 00:01:10,810 --> 00:01:15,479 Global Good Fund at Intellectual Ventures, for a cooler that can keep vaccines cold for 18 00:01:15,479 --> 00:01:18,110 over 30 days without electricity. 19 00:01:18,110 --> 00:01:22,390 Winners receive a certificate for acceleration of select USPTO proceedings that can help 20 00:01:22,390 --> 00:01:24,759 move their innovations to market. 21 00:01:24,759 --> 00:01:30,880 And, they are honored at an award ceremony in Washington, D.C., attended by USPTO and 22 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:32,689 government leaders. 23 00:01:32,689 --> 00:01:36,010 You could be one of the next awardees. 24 00:01:36,010 --> 00:01:41,200 Your next patented innovation could do more than push technology forward and create jobs. 25 00:01:41,200 --> 00:01:43,680 It could save lives.