When most people think about patents, they imagine groundbreaking technologies like the light bulb, the telephone, or the airplane. But the patent world is full of surprises — some practical, some quirky, and some downright bizarre. Here are ten obscure (but fascinating) patent facts you probably didn’t know:
- The Very First U.S. Patent Was for Fertilizer
Patent No. 1, issued in 1790, went to Samuel Hopkins for a process of making potash, used in fertilizer. Not quite as glamorous as the iPhone, but essential for agriculture at the time.
- Abraham Lincoln Was a Patentee
Lincoln remains the only U.S. President to hold a patent — No. 6,469 for a device to lift boats over shoals. He never commercialized it, but it showed his inventive spirit.
- Patents Once Required a Miniature Model
From 1790 to 1880, inventors had to submit working models with their applications. Many of these tiny prototypes are now housed in the Smithsonian — a miniature history of innovation.
- Peanut Butter Was Patented (Sort Of)
Dr. John Harvey Kellogg (of corn flakes fame) patented a process for making peanut butter in 1898. He wasn’t the first to invent it, but he helped popularize it.
- The Wright Brothers Claimed Controlled Flight
Patent No. 821,393 (1906) broadly claimed their method of controlling flight, sparking legal battles with other aviators and companies.
- The Patent for the “Crustless PB&J”
In 1999, Smucker’s was granted U.S. Patent No. 6,004,596 for a sealed, crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwich (think Uncrustables). The patent described how to crimp and seal the bread edges to keep the filling inside. It caused quite a stir — some people argued that a sandwich was too obvious to patent!
- Michael Jackson Patented a Dance Move (Sort Of)
U.S. Patent No. 5,255,452 covered the “anti-gravity” shoe system he used to lean forward at impossible angles in Smooth Criminal.
- Edison Was a Patent Machine
Thomas Edison still holds the U.S. record for lifetime patents: 1,093. That’s almost a new invention every two weeks for 60 years.
- There is a patent for a bird diaper
Yes, really. In 1999, inventor Lisa Engler was granted U.S. Patent No. 5,934,226 for a “garment for pet birds” — essentially a bird diaper. The design allowed birds to fly around the house without leaving a mess behind. It even came with straps to keep it secure during flight!
- The patent for an anti-eating face mask
In 1982, U.S. Patent No. 4,344,424 was granted for an “Anti-Eating Face Mask.” The device strapped around a person’s head and physically blocked them from putting food in their mouth. It was marketed as a weight-loss aid — but thankfully, it never really caught on.
Why This Matters
Patents aren’t just about protecting ideas — they tell the story of human creativity, in all its useful, silly, and surprising forms. The next “weird” idea might just become tomorrow’s must-have product.
Need help patenting your idea — whether it’s practical or a little outside the box? As a USPTO-registered patent agent with a decade of experience, I’d be happy to guide you through the process.
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