The Washington herald., 1915-01-19
GETTING A START.
THE INVENTOR.
By NATHANIEL {. FOWLER, JR.

" Copyright LSl9-|
y TATISTICS are misleading, but I
may say in passing that millions
~ of patents have been issued, and
that thousands of new inventions are
patented yearly.
The Patent ONCE will grant a patent
for new discovery or invention, ire
spectiVe of its commercial or other
worth, the patent examiners basing
their decisions upon the newness of
the thing patented entirely regardless
of its intrinsic value.
Inventions have been made by both
sexes, and by people of all ages. in
Guiding the immature youth. Some of
them have brought fortunes: but the
majority of patents are worth Prac-
tically nothing. and many a good dis
covery or invention. through lack Of
development and exploitation. has not
contributed anything to its originator.
A successful invention is dependent
upon two conditions: First. the COM
mercial or other value of the thing it
self; secondly, proper development,
Comparatively few inventors or
scientific men have business ability, and
the majority do not understand the
marketing of the products of their in
Eenuity. They can invent, but they
cannot exploit. They can discover. but
they cannot distribute.
While a few great inventions have
been the result of chance or accident.
the majority of profitable patents are
the result of education and training.
combined with UnceasinE research.
Mere brightness and ingenuity are not
sufficient. I am inclined to think that
the inventor comes by his talent nat
uraIly and that he cannot produce it.
II you are ingenious and original. and
would invent, first train yourself along
the line of your proposed course. Sec
ondly, do not invent in haphaZard
manner Study conditions by research,
ascertain what is wanted. what can be
used. what will be used if properly
presented. Then attempt to meet this
demand When the idea is born, search
the patent records, for the chances are
that some one else has forestalled you.
BY quiet and more or less secret in
quiry attempt to discover whether or
not what you have is marketable. Then
consult a reputable patent lawyer or
solicitor. If you do not know of one.
ask the Judge Of the court. or some
high-class attorney at law, to recon-
mend one. Place yourself unreSerVed-
~ in his hands, for no reliable patent
lawyer or solicitor has ever been
known to betray his clients. After the
natent is issued to you. get into COM
munication with concerns manufactur-
ing similar articles. or appearing to
do so; and either sell your patent out
right or arrange for royalty The
chances are a thousand to one that you
cannot properly handle it yourself.
Bear in mind one thing; the result or
ingenuity is worthless unless II can
he used either commercially or for the |
benefit Of humanity. Financial profit |
comes only to those who produce some
thing which will sell
You may be perfectly convinced Of
the value of your invention, but I'M
less YOU can make the public realize
its worth. YOU cannot hope to win fame !
or fortune from 1t. First. be sure that
YOU have something which the world !
needs, then make every effort to show
the world that you have something |
very much worth its consideration, by
placing il in the hands Of men you /
can trust, men VINO have the capital
and ability to develop it. Don't try to
do it yourself unless you have both
money and business acumen.