July 31 in American History
Samuel Hopkins received U.S. Patent No. 1 for a potash-making process, personally signed by President Washington. The founders wrote patent protection directly into the Constitution, betting early that rewarding inventors would build the country faster than anything else.
In 1790: the first U.S. patent is issued. Samuel Hopkins received U.S.
Samuel Hopkins received U.S. Patent No. 1 for a potash-making process, personally signed by President Washington. The founders wrote patent protection directly into the Constitution, betting early that rewarding inventors would build the country faster than anything else.
The Daily Poll · Weigh In
What's the most useful thing you've ever built or fixed yourself?
Opinion, not a quiz — no wrong answer.
★ Forge Your Freedom
Your Freedom Score puts a number on it — 60 seconds, free. See how you rank, then get a history moment like this in your brief every day.
Take the Free Assessment →