This Unique Guide Explains how Researchers can Use Patents as a source of historical information.Covering the British patents system from 1617 until the 1977 patents Act, the guide is an invaluable resource for anyone researching the history of science and technology or looking for information on the people behind inventions. Sections include: -- the historical background of the patent system-- patenting procedure-- people in the patent system-- the patent specification-- searching for patents information
Dishwashers, electric light bulbs, gramophones, motion picture cameras, radios, roller skates, typewriters. While these inventions seem to speak of the 20th century, they all in fact date from the 19th century. The Victorian age (1837-1901) was a period of enormous technological progress in communications, transport, and many other areas of life. Illustrated by the original patent drawings from The British Library's extensive collection, this attractive book chronicles the history of the one hundred most important, innovative, and memorable inventions of the 19th century. The vivid picture of the Victorian age unfolds as inventions from the ground-breaking—such as aspirin, dynamite, and the telephone—to the everyday—like blue jeans and tiddlywinks—are revealed decade by decade. Together they provide a vivid picture of Victorian life. This follow-up volume to Stephen van Dulken’s acclaimed Inventing the 20th Century will be compelling reading to anyone interested in inventors and the “age of machines.” From the cash register to the safety pin, from the machine gun to the pocket protector, and from lawn tennis to the light bulb, Inventing the 19th Century is a fascinating, illustrative window into the Victorian Age.
This completely revised and expanded edition recognises the growing importance of patent systems and documentation from Asia, South America and Africa. The most prominent patent systems from these regions are treated individually, together with revisions to existing country coverage and an overview of IP developments in general. This is an essential reference tool for librarians, information specialists, data analysts and others seeking to use patent information either at the document level or in bulk.
From the Crimean War through the Second Boer War, the British Empire sought to solve the "Great Gun Question"--to harness improvements to ordnance, small arms, explosives and mechanization made possible by the Industrial Revolution. The British public played a surprising but overlooked role, offering myriad suggestions for improvements to the civilian-led War Office. Meanwhile, politicians and army leaders argued over control of the country's ground forces in a decades-long struggle that did not end until reforms of 1904 put the military under the Secretary of State for War. Following the debate in the press, voters put pressure on both Parliament and the War Office to modernize ordnance and military administration. The "Great Gun Question" was as much about weaponry as about who ultimately controlled military power. Drawing on ordnance committee records and contemporary news reports, this book fills a gap in the history of British military technology and army modernization prior to World War I.
Excerpt from The Grant and Validity of British Patents for Inventions Abstracts of Cases will render it useful to practising lawyers. It has been ascertained by an official inquiry that of the Patents for Inventions granted in England no fewer than 42 per cent., that is, about 5780 per annum, are invalid on the ground of having been already patented in this country. An examination of the results of litigation shows that, of such patents as are commercially worth infringing, no less than 51 per cent. Are invalid. The invalidity of these patents is in many cases not discovered till after the lapse of years but, even assuming that no invalid patent is renewed, sums amounting to 2 per annum are paid for patents which give no legal protection to the patentees. This state of affairs brings discredit upon all British patents, and diminishes the market value even of those which are valid. Although the new procedure shortly to be brought into operation will prevent the grant of a large proportion of bad patents, many will still exist, as it deals only with one cause of invalidity. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
