Evening star., 1932-04-10


for chemical research; DR.. E. R. Weld
lein, metallurgical research engineer;
William p. MacCracken of the National
Advisory Committee for Aeronautics:
DR.. Alvin Macauley of the Packard
Motor Co., James T. Newton former
patent commissioner; Mr.. Melvin H.
Coulston Of Washington, F. l. Allen of
New York, Silas H. Strawn and Wallace
r. Lane.
Established in 1890.
The Patent Office was established in
Philadelphia by George Washington on
April 10, 1890 Under the original
statute cases were decided by board
consisting of Secretary of State Thomas
Jefferson, Secretary of War Gen. Knox
and the Attorney General Edmund
Randolph and letters of patent were
signed by President Washington. Cleri-
cal work was done by one clerk under
the Secretary of State
The first patent was granted July 81,
1870, to Samuel Hopkins on method
making pot and pearl ashes"
Twelve years later the seat Of Gov
eminent had been transferred to Wash
ington and the Jefferson administration
directed organization of Patent
Bureau with Dr. William Thornton In
charge. His salary was 81 400 a year.
He was allowed one clerk at $500 year,
a messenger at $72 year, and a horse
for the messengers convenience.
It's first quarters we're in "Crockers'
two-story house." on Eighth street, be-
tween E and F streets. Later head
quarters were moved to the ''Blodgett's
Hotel on E street between Seventh and
Tio6f1, fran &c had
been granted up to 1929, President An
drew jackson ordered an inquiry into
the Offices affairs. 1t was charged that
the Office was behind in its work.
Similar charges prevail today. The first
inquiry resulted in one additional clerk.
Seven years later. however, under an
investigation started by Senator John
Ruggles of Maine, sweeping changes
were made in the system of patent law
and practice that were without prece-
dent In all history. The requirement
that preliminary examinations be made
threw the burden Of determining pat
entability upon the Patent Office and
provided for the first time in any coun-
try an adequate means of protecting the
rights of inventors by giving letters
patent prina facie standing of va
lidity
authorize ton for an increased Patent
Office force and the construction of the
building at Ninth and streets. In
this same year fire completely destroyed
the Patent Office and all its models and
records. Upon completion of the new
building the Office was added to the
Department of Interior ~
The effects of wise legislation of 1885,
according to historians, were beginning
to become apparent then in the wealth
Of inventive skill that was towering
under its protection. About 1000 pat
ents were being granted yearly and
America was rapidly outdistancing her
contemporary nations in the scientific
and mechanical arts.
Acts Are Codified.
By 1870 revisions, amendments and
consultations of patent law had be-
come cumbersome. Some Is acts and
parts of acts had been superimposed
upon the basic law of 1890 and the re-
forms of 1886. These laws were, there
fore, codif1ed The problem of person.
mel for the Office came to the front but
nothing in particular was done about it.
BY this time it had become traditional
that increases in the force always
Jagged far behind the requirements. The
number of patents granted each year
had grown to $4,000.
A second disastrous fire occurred in
1877, destroying the model halls in two
wings and 100000 models.
BY 1898 the growth of the Patent Of
flee had reached point that the build
ing began showing signs of being over
crowded. Many reforms we're planned
but few were carried out. 1t was not
until 1922 that reasonable provision
was made for catching up with the
work by increasing the personnel, and
1t was not until the first four months
OF TINS year that modern quarters were
provided.
Among the suggested reforms that are
being discussed at present are: Crea-
ton OF a Supreme Court to replace the
District Court; limitations of the time
during which the substance of patent
application remains secret; speeding of
Patent Office machinery to cut down
the average Of about five months delay
before an application can come to the
attention Of examiners; increase pay
and promotion system for Patent Office
employees, now numbering 440, to pre-
vent the heavy turnover in trained men
who leave to take up the more lucrative
work Of practicing patent law; aid for
Inc CIaSslncatlon division, which is far
pehind in its work and consequently
slows and complicates the work of the
entire bureau.
Chairman Dykes and other members
OF the committee in outlining the Amer
ican patent system said the United
states produces about two-thirds of the
worlds patentable inventions. This
pronounced leadership, he said, is due
Tar less to accident or chance than to
the amazing piece Of legislation which
is not widely appreciated except in the
patent professions.
They pointed out that the average
citizen takes for granted that an in
Ynntnr ic nntifInd q liz 80 i..r.n..4il,.