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Did you know that John Stevens, an inventor and lawyer, helped encourage the passage of the Patent Act of 1790? From then on, the federal government was responsible for issuing patents to protect new and useful inventions.

Design patents protect the way a manufactured item looks. Check out some design patents for bobblehead figurines!

For example, the hardy Raven® ZZ plant and this trailing variegated pothos plant are protected by patents U.S. patent No. PP30,035 and U.S. patent No. PP21,217.

Houseplants decorate an indoor area and can even improve air quality. Some houseplants are protected by plant patents. Plant patents protect the plant's genetic makeup, giving the owner exclusive rights to reproduce, sell, and use it.

Rubber duckies can be found in bathtubs across America. Design patent No. 153,514—the first patent for a toy duck—was granted to Russian American sculptor Peter Ganine on April 26, 1949.

In 1809, Mary Kies became the first known woman to receive a U.S. patent in her own name. Her patent was for a process of weaving straw with silk. Kies’s technique fueled growth in the American women’s hat industry.

In 1934, inventor Julian Burch received U.S. patent No. 1,961,812 for his popcorn machine. His invention improved upon previous machines by enclosing the kettle to protect the heating element from melted butter and grease.

The iconic Coca-Cola trademark was registered on this day in 1893! The registration describes the unique way the two uppercase “C’s” extend in the form of a dash. The mark covers “tonic beverages” and has been renewed ever since.

Have you checked out InventAR, the newest activity on EquIP HQ? Explore 3D models, patent webs, and video interviews from renowned inventors like Rory Cooper, Marian Croak, and Temple Grandin—all in augmented reality! Play for free at: buff.ly/42z5HvA

On this day, U.S. patent No. 223898 for an electric lamp was granted to Thomas Edison. Take a closer look at this patent and other significant inventions on EquIP HQ’s Communication Assessment for grades 9-12: buff.ly/4g7cP5P

Contrary to popular belief, George Washington Carver did not invent peanut butter—but he did come up with over 300 uses for the peanut! A formerly enslaved agriculture teacher, he educated farmers on the benefits of diversifying from cotton to soil-enriching crops like peanuts.

These two sweet desserts have a secret—a trade secret, that is. The recipes for Twinkies® cakes and Krispy Kreme® donuts are protected as trade secrets. Learn about trade secrets and other types of intellectual property protection on EquIP HQ.

Did you know you can get a patent for the way a product looks? In April, Edith Turner received a patent for the ornamental design of a taco holder!

Tell us your favorite color mark in the comments!

Sometimes, a business can register a trademark for a color. If the color is capable of identifying the source of goods or services, it can be protected. For example, UPS has a trademark for a specific shade of the color brown. Explore the registration at: buff.ly/3W3ZxzN

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth at #FETC this week! We were blown away by the deep engagement and thoughtful conversations surrounding #IP. We hope your students are as excited about EquIP HQ as you are!

In 1912, Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts® organization. Did you know she was also an inventor? Explore the EquIP HQ Timeline to learn which inventions she patented! buff.ly/4h3tJD5

In 1980, a patent for a method of converting a flashlight into a science fiction light ray toy was granted to James and John Joyce. Check out their patent at buff.ly/408UUWn

There are many movies based on Mary Shelley’s book, “Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus.” These are called derivative works. Learn how derivative works play into copyright and the public domain with our copyright lesson plans: buff.ly/3W4AnAY