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Patent Office Prods Invention New program strives to get technology before the public in order to spur inventiveness Don't be too surprised to see television invade the U.S. Patent Office. Negotiations now under way on the West Coast could put a new TV series with a "field of discovery" format before the public on a nationwide hookup. If it pans out, viewers will get a glimpse of the inner workings of the Patent Office and its role in promoting, as well as protecting, scientific and technical discoveries. But that's not all. As part of its new drive to stimulate invention and to make its vast storehouse of valuable technology known to those who can put it to good use, the Patent Office is telling its story wherever people congregate. Items: • L a s t week at the Midwest Business Opportunities Show in St. Paul, Minn., the Patent Office had an informative display illustrating how it processes patents and trademark applications. • In Dallas this week, at the State of Texas Fair, it has another display— this time on patents in general, and plant (the garden variety) patents in particular. • Late this week, those attending the Automobile Show in Detroit will see how patents play a vital role in this industry. When people aren't brought together by others, the Patent Office will
round them up by itself. On Oct. 18, at the Commerce Department in Washington, Secretary of Commerce Frederick H. Mueller will officially open the Patent Office's electricalelectronics industry display. (The Patent Office has been putting on such shows for the past five years.) Capping the affair this year will be a discussion on patents and patent problems by top industry officials. Next February, the spotlight shifts to chemicals and synthetics with a similar staging. And, at the 125th anniversary celebration of its founding in May, the Patent Office may sponsor a special program to shed new light on the patent situation world-wide. "New Ideas" Lag. Behind this activity is the growing concern voiced by scientific observers that the United States is falling behind in the generation of new ideas. They point out that on a per capita basis the U.S. now trails many countries, such as those of Scandinavia, Great Britain, and Germany, in this activity. One way to regain the lead: use the wealth of valuable ideas readily available in patents as a springboard to new and better inventions. This would cut way down on costly duplication of research effort—one of the biggest stumbling blocks to rapid progress today. Each working day some 350 new
ON THE ROAD. Telling its story at trade shows is just one phase of the Patent Office's new campaign to stimulate Invention. Here, at the recent Machine Tool Exposition in Chicago, a Patent Office display shows how patents serve as a springboard to new and better inventions and cut down on duplication of research effort
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patent applications show up at the Patent Office. Close to a quarter of these are in chemistry and chemical engineering. And each week, Patent Office investigators grant about 1000 patents, again nearly a quarter chemical. But despite these apparently staggering figures, few Americans with potential creative ability understand our patent system, and even fewer take full advantage of what it has to offer, Patent Office officials say. Stimulate New Interest. Newlyformed under a directive from Commissioner of Patents Robert C. Watson, the Office of Information Services of the U.S. Patent Office is for the express purpose of bettering this situation. Its director, Isaac Fleischmann, says, "In the past, the Patent Office has provided information concerning its method of operation only when asked by persons cognizant of patent importance. But now we are going all out to reach the many people who have the ability to invent, but are not informed about its rewards and the methods to gain these rewards. Essentially, we are trying to follow the letter of the Constitutional provisions relating to patents, that is, 'to promote the progress of science and the useful arts. More specifically, the five-pronged public educational campaign is geared to show: • The importance of patents in the progress of American industry and their impact on the economic and social life of our nation. • T h e functions, operations, and services of the U.S. Patent Office. • The value of patents as background information actually covering virtually all of the important creative thinking of our country. • The relationship between the inventor and the patent office and patent profession. Better Communications. Thus far, it's a one-man show. Mr. Fleischmann is initiating and developing new information programs and materials with the help of all area heads within the Patent Office. Industrial exhibits are another important phase of the program. "But its ultimate success hinges on establishing more and better press relations and publications; getting out more general information pamphlets and aids to inventors and attorneys; and developing better internal communications," Mr. Fleischmann believes.
