[TheForge] BLACKSMITH PATENTS - Then and Now! ++

[Paul Tomlinson]

I did a Google patents search for "blacksmith", while reading a 
selection of them something occurred to me. The early patents were 
couched in terms that seemed to encourage those "skilled in the art" 
to make use of the invention. The later ones only want those "skilled 
in the art" to take note of the invention's other uses!

"To enable others skilled in the art to make and so use my invention, 
I will describe its construction and mode of operation." From 1873 patent.

"Other principal features and advantages of the invention will become 
apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following 
detailed description, claims, and drawings." From 2010 patent.


BTW - These also came up under the same search!!!

A most Ridiculous Patent (although the plastic 'stick' is very close!)

Patent number: D609642
Filing date: Oct 31, 2008
Issue date: Feb 9, 2010
Application number: 29/312,580


really TMI!!!

Female urination aid

Patent number: 5742948
Filing date: Aug 9, 1996
Issue date: Apr 28, 1998