The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-10-29
o INVENTIONS.

Unlike the Patent Offices of all othe
countries, the American Patent Office is Il
spirit and action essentially democratic. 1t
clientage includes nothing less than tn
whole people. The richest inventor seek
its certificates, N the poorest is not re
fused a hearing no man so learned thu
his brightest thoughts may not fall within
the scope of Patent Office routine I; none 8.
ignorant that, if he thinks he has O move
idea, the Office will fail to give it due atten
ton. Whether grand or simple, each new
idea is courteously entertained, the rulin,
principle being hat it is better that ninet,
and nine proftless ideas be patented thai
that n genuine and fruitful uoyelt
mould be efuse its proper recognition
Some of the most important inventions
have been exceedingly minute in size INT
insignificant in appearance; accordingly the
rule very properly is to err, if at all, on the
ide of liberality to inventors. If On inven.
tors idea be good, he ought to lave the
benefit of it; if worthless, it certainly harms
no one to let him lave the exclusive control
If it. And whether useful or useless must
be determined in the great majority of cases
by actual trial in competition with other
IDEAS, not by any examiners a prioIi judg-
nent, however intelligent he may be.
The Scientific american, established in
l845 and published by o. d. Mum and A.
E. Beach, gentlemen of rare intelligence and
experience, is the leading paper of its kind
md their patent office agency is in reality
he safest and the best to do business with.
In q late issue, the following article on the
1alue of observation in invention, appears.
1t is said the world over that necessity
3 the mother of invention" but the fact is
hat only q small proportion of the patented
inventions of the day have been called forth
by sheer necessity. The multitude of in
rentions made in this country may be at
ributed chiefly to the great desire of Ameri-
ans to acquire wealth.
While some men invent because they per-
.eive and appreciate q need therefor, 9TH
ira, in q laborious way study and experiment
Giiuost without special aim, having q desire
70 do something, without knowing whittier
70 direct their thoughts. 1t is not so diff
snlt often to devise means for accomplish
ing n known object as to discover that the
thing needs to be done. 1t thus appears
that a vital point with the inventor is to see
where chances for Improvement lie. Close
md well directed observation only can re.
real these opportunities.
1t may be said that to follow any line of
investigation requires a special knowledge
If that particular line, and that it is i'm
possible for any person to have q compre-
iensive knowledge of everything but the
history Of invention shows that many Inn
portant improvements have been made by
persons unfamiliar with the art TO which
The inventions pertain. This is accounted
.or by the singular blindness of most men to
he defects Of things with which they are
best acquainted.
A systematic inspection of every device,
whether new or old, therefore, with a view
70 the discovery of possible chances for i'm
provement, and O close observation of meth
DDS Of doing things in the various branches
If manufacture, and in everyday life in the
household, are, generally speaking, q sure
means of opening the avenues that lead to
mccess. Nothing should escape the notice
Of the inventor. He should train himself
to observe, weigh, and consider everything
that comes under his notice, and thus &C.
auire habits of observation which are of
more value than capital.
1t is not essential to the success of IN in
gention that it hould be better than others
If it's class, nor is it always requisite that it
ihould be less expensive. If the ley device
Q equally as good as the old, costs no more,
and accomplishes its object in q different
way, it will with proper management com
mand o place in the market. 1t is therefore
n the province Of the inventor not only &c
develop things entirely new, but to try t
accomplish known results by new means
The success Of IN inventor in doing thest
things depends, to a great extent, on hi
power Of observation.