What do you think?
Rate this book
Why Has America Stopped Inventing
America loves innovation and the can-do spirit that made this country what it is—a world leader in self-government, industry, technology, and pop culture. Everything about America has been an experiment and a leap of faith. And one such experiment—upon which all others depend for success—is the U.S. Patent System.
Why Has America Stopped Inventing? takes a close look at why this experiment appears to be failing, and why America has all but stopped inventing. Our belief that we are the most innovative people on earth is mistaken. Statistics show that today we invent less than half of what our counterparts did a century and a half ago. Look Where are the groundbreaking inventions comparable to those from the Industrial Revolution? It’s unforgivable that we’ve been using the same mode of transportation for over a century. Why are we giving trillions of dollars every year to hostile foreign nations for imported oil when we have the inventive talent in America to solve the nation’s energy crisis?
We don’t have these desperately needed technologies because regular Americans have given up on inventing. Why Has America Stopped Inventing? compares some of America’s most successful 19th century inventors with those of today, showing Jefferson refusing to waste any more weekends examining patent applications, Whitney being robbed of his fortune while the South’s wealth exploded, the patent models that kept British soldiers from burning Washington’s last-standing federal building, the formation of Lincoln’s cabinet, and Selden crippling the entire U.S. Auto Industry. It also tells the largely unforgotten stories of the Wright brother’s airplane monopoly, the Colt revolver’s role in the Mexican American War, the Sewing Machine wars, the last six months of Daniel Webster’s life, and the controversy surrounding the first telephone patents.
Why Has America Stopped Inventing? takes a close look at why this experiment appears to be failing, and why America has all but stopped inventing. Our belief that we are the most innovative people on earth is mistaken. Statistics show that today we invent less than half of what our counterparts did a century and a half ago. Look Where are the groundbreaking inventions comparable to those from the Industrial Revolution? It’s unforgivable that we’ve been using the same mode of transportation for over a century. Why are we giving trillions of dollars every year to hostile foreign nations for imported oil when we have the inventive talent in America to solve the nation’s energy crisis?
We don’t have these desperately needed technologies because regular Americans have given up on inventing. Why Has America Stopped Inventing? compares some of America’s most successful 19th century inventors with those of today, showing Jefferson refusing to waste any more weekends examining patent applications, Whitney being robbed of his fortune while the South’s wealth exploded, the patent models that kept British soldiers from burning Washington’s last-standing federal building, the formation of Lincoln’s cabinet, and Selden crippling the entire U.S. Auto Industry. It also tells the largely unforgotten stories of the Wright brother’s airplane monopoly, the Colt revolver’s role in the Mexican American War, the Sewing Machine wars, the last six months of Daniel Webster’s life, and the controversy surrounding the first telephone patents.
252 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
11 people are currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Darin Gibby
5 books144 followersIn addition to a thriving career as a novelist, author Darin Gibby is also one of the country’s premiere patent attorneys and a partner at the prestigious firm of Kilpatrick Townsend. With over thirty years of experience in obtaining patents on hundreds of inventions from the latest drug delivery system to life-saving cardiac equipment, he has built IP portfolios for numerous Fortune 500 companies. In addition to securing patents, Gibby helps clients enforce and license their patents around the world.
Darin's newest thriller, CHASING HINDY, follows the quest of a patent attorney, Addy Verges, who thinks she's landed her dream job with a startup purporting to have a car that can run on water.
Darin's other recent book, GIL, tells the story of a 44year old baseball coach who discovers that he can pitch with lightening speed. However, after joining the Colorado Rockies, he learns that the more he pitches, the faster he leads to his own death.
Darin's first book, WHY HAS AMERICA STOPPED INVENTING?
explored the critical issue of America’s broken patent system. Find out more about Darin and peruse the first few chapters at www.daringibby.com.
Awarding winning novel THE VINTAGE CLUB? was Darin's first fiction book and tells about a group of the world's wealthiest men chasing a legend about a wine that can make you live forever.
With a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree, he is highly regarded in Denver’s legal and business community as a patent strategist, business manager, and community leader. He is also a sought-after speaker on IP issues at businesses, colleges and technology forums, where he demonstrates the value of patents using simple lessons from working on products such as Crocs shoes, Izzo golf straps and Trek bicycles.
An avid traveler and accomplished triathlete, Darin also enjoys backcountry fly-fishing trips, skiing in the Rocky Mountains and surfing in San Diego. He lives in La Jolla, California and Vail, Colorado with his wife, Robin.
Darin's newest thriller, CHASING HINDY, follows the quest of a patent attorney, Addy Verges, who thinks she's landed her dream job with a startup purporting to have a car that can run on water.
Darin's other recent book, GIL, tells the story of a 44year old baseball coach who discovers that he can pitch with lightening speed. However, after joining the Colorado Rockies, he learns that the more he pitches, the faster he leads to his own death.
Darin's first book, WHY HAS AMERICA STOPPED INVENTING?
explored the critical issue of America’s broken patent system. Find out more about Darin and peruse the first few chapters at www.daringibby.com.
Awarding winning novel THE VINTAGE CLUB? was Darin's first fiction book and tells about a group of the world's wealthiest men chasing a legend about a wine that can make you live forever.
With a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering and a Master of Business Administration degree, he is highly regarded in Denver’s legal and business community as a patent strategist, business manager, and community leader. He is also a sought-after speaker on IP issues at businesses, colleges and technology forums, where he demonstrates the value of patents using simple lessons from working on products such as Crocs shoes, Izzo golf straps and Trek bicycles.
An avid traveler and accomplished triathlete, Darin also enjoys backcountry fly-fishing trips, skiing in the Rocky Mountains and surfing in San Diego. He lives in La Jolla, California and Vail, Colorado with his wife, Robin.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
August 14, 2016
Fascinating history of patents and patent law. Also includes an excellent explanation of the process of applying for a patent and the dysfunctional way that the patent system works to award, or deny, a patent to an inventor.
Displaying 1 of 1 review