The American Patent Agency: The Embedded 'Lone Inventor' in American History

Abstract

From the early 19th century through the 20th, the 'lone' American inventor had in fact been able to draw upon a wide variety of supporting services, from model makers to the staff of the Patent Office itself. Prominent among these services were what were termed 'invention marketing companies'. They claimed to be able to assist inventors at every step, from obtaining a patent to finding places for them in the marketplace. One of these, which flourished in the late 19th century, was the American Patent Agency of Cincinnati, Ohio.