From "Wealth of Ideas" e-newsletter, December 2003

People love firsts. Books, awards, and countless history lessons are dedicated to firsts. We remember firsts. Not many people remember Amelia Earhart as the second person to fly across the Atlantic, but we do remember her distinctly as the first woman to fly across the Atlantic.

What, you may ask, has this to do with patents? Well, one of the basic requirements of patentability is that the invention, process, or application be novel. So, by definition, every patent is a first, claiming an invention not made earlier by someone else.

But just to satisfy our craving for firsts, and to celebrate the first of the year just around the corner, here’s a hearty HATS OFF to some inventive firsts:

• The first patent was granted to Samuel Hopkins in 1790 for a process for making potash, an ingredient used in fertilizer and was signed by George Washington.
• The first numbered patent, issued after the fire of 1836 was awarded to John Ruggles, the US Senator from Maine, for a traction wheel.
• Mary Kies was the first woman to receive a patent in 1809 for a method for weaving straw with silk used for making hats.
• The first African American to receive a patent was Thomas L. Jennings who invented a method for dry cleaning clothes in 1821.
• The first African American woman to receive a patent was Sarah E. Goode in 1885 for her folding cabinet bed.
• IBM ranks first among non-Federal patenting organizations.
• California ranks first for number of patents issued to state residents.
• The first patent of the new millennium was issued on January 4th, 2000 to Leonard Siprut for a multiple component headgear system used by athletes.
• The first new patent application filed over the internet was for a gene sequence listing for a pending biotechnology application.
• The first Commissioner of Patents was none other than Thomas Jefferson.

And in the spirit of celebrating firsts, we at General Patent Corporation wish you many fortunate "firsts" in the coming New Year!