("The Visitor" wrote)
Patented, yes. Enforced, no. What good is an unenforceable patent??

It gets you your moment of fame. Hmmmm, what will I patent???????


Interesting (aviation!) patent history - both pages, 1 & 2.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?V23D12A2C
(Same link as below ...wait for it)

Popular Mechanics - Jay Leno.
An Unknown American Classic
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/sub_coll_leno/1302921.html?page=1&c=y

(From page 1)
[Morey received his first patent before 1800 for a rotating, steam-powered
cooking spit. It was one of the first patents ever issued in the United
States, and it was signed by George Washington. While his contemporary
inventors were being granted patents for handy things like "improvements in
windmills" (Joseph Pope, 1793) and "an improved way of making nails" (Jared
Byington, 1796), Morey took out a patent for a device that "raised water by
the use of wind."

Sadly, few people have ever heard of this guy.]


(From page 2)
[Morey was granted a patent for his "Gas or Vapor" engine in 1826. This time
it was signed by President John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay, secretary of
state. That'd be like Bush and Powell signing a patent today.

Here's the best part: Samuel Morey had a strong premonition of the future
ramifications of his invention. "I see no reason," he wrote, "why it may not
be applied with the greatest advantage in drawing carriages on good roads
and railways and particularly for giving what seems to be much wanted
direction and velocity to balloons."]


Montblack