Patent Stories
History of the Flute
The flute is the world's oldest instrument, predating drums by millennia. Djalma Julliot's 1908 U.S. patent refined its key system. Framed prints available.
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History of the Football
The football's 1939 patent by Wilton Reach redesigned the lacing that every quarterback still grips today. The full history of how football became America's sport.
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History of the Guitar Pickup
From George Beauchamp's 1931 horseshoe pickup to Leo Fender's 1961 hum-canceling patent, the history of the guitar pickup and how it shaped electric music. Prints from $49.99.
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History of the Fishing Tackle Box
The fishing tackle box traces from ancient Egypt to Julius Borcherdt's 1889 U.S. patent. Explore the full history and shop framed patent art prints.
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History of the Ferris Wheel
George Washington Ferris Jr. patented the Ferris wheel in 1893, building a 264-foot giant for the Chicago World's Fair to rival the Eiffel Tower.
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History of the Electric Guitar
The 1955 electric guitar bridge patent by Theodore McCarty transformed adjustability for players. Trace the electric guitar from magnetic pickups to patent prints.
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History of the Dominos
The 1883 domino patent by Richard Williams introduced color-coded dots for easier matching. Trace dominos from 12th-century China to the U.S. patent print.
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History of the Fishing Creel
John Burch and Arnold Morton patented the fishing creel in 1929 with a built-in fish chute. The creel's history spans from 1250 AD through Oregon's leather-trimming trade.
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History of the Chinese Checkers
The history of Chinese checkers from its 1880s Boston origins to the 1940 U.S. patent that made the board portable, plus original patent art prints.
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