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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
About the author
Darin Gibby
8 books144 followersDarin Gibby is the author of five books, including his newest, LIGHT AND SHADOWS. His other books include GIL, THE VINTAGE CLUB, CHASING HINDY and WHY HAS AMERICA STOPPED INVENTING?.
His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post, and he has appeared on numerous television and radio programs. In addition to his writing, Darin is a partner at Kilpatrick Townsend and a leading patent attorney with more than 30 years of experience securing patents for cutting-edge technologies. He frequently speaks on Intellectual Property topics at major businesses, universities, and technology forums, drawing on his expertise and real-world patent success stories.
An avid traveler and accomplished triathlete, Darin enjoys backcountry fly-fishing, skiing in the Rockies, and surfing. He lives with his wife, Robin, and they divide their time between La Jolla, California, and Vail, Colorado, along with visits to their four children.
His work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post, and he has appeared on numerous television and radio programs. In addition to his writing, Darin is a partner at Kilpatrick Townsend and a leading patent attorney with more than 30 years of experience securing patents for cutting-edge technologies. He frequently speaks on Intellectual Property topics at major businesses, universities, and technology forums, drawing on his expertise and real-world patent success stories.
An avid traveler and accomplished triathlete, Darin enjoys backcountry fly-fishing, skiing in the Rockies, and surfing. He lives with his wife, Robin, and they divide their time between La Jolla, California, and Vail, Colorado, along with visits to their four children.
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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