Why drive? Because getting there is half the fun!
The quintessential American road trip wouldn’t be the same without the brands that keep us safe and comfortable. As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this summer, let’s explore a few trademarks that keep us moving:
🚗 The U.S. automotive industry has been an innovative force for more than a century. Ford Motor Company, established in 1903, introduced the moving assembly line, which made cars more affordable. Tesla, founded in 2003, helped pave the way for widespread adoption of electric vehicles in the U.S.
🏍️ Whether it’s the open road or off the beaten path, some brands are built for adventure. Harley-Davidson has been making motorcycles since 1903, while Jeep traces its roots to a light military vehicle used by the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II.
⛽ Brands often use imagery steeped in history to set their products apart. Goodyear marks their tires with a logo depicting the sandaled and winged foot of the ancient Greek deity Hermes, evoking swiftness. And Mobil Oil has been using the red winged Pegasus on their products since the 1930s.
🏨 When Americans take to the road, comfort and convenience are paramount. The American Automotive Association, or AAA, first published road maps in 1905. And the Howard Johnson brand was an early pioneer in roadside services, first with restaurants and later with hotels.
Stay tuned for more iconic American brands throughout the summer!
Sometimes, it’s okay to reinvent the wheel...
From the first railroad tracks to modern city streets, American inventors have been improving how we get around for centuries. As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this summer, let’s take a look at a few patents that changed transportation:
🛞 U.S patent no. 1, the first patent granted after the numbering system was introduced in 1836, went to John Ruggles. His traction wheels helped locomotives navigate hilly terrain while carrying heavy loads.
🚆As the rail network in the U.S. expanded in the mid-to-late 1800s, inventors made this method of travel safer and more efficient. Elijah McCoy’s engine lubricator saved time by automatically providing oil to the train’s engine, and George Westinghouse’s air brake allowed trains to stop quickly.
🚗 The success of automobiles had foundations in a much earlier invention: Charles Goodyear’s process for vulcanizing rubber, which was patented in 1844. Decades later, Henry Ford invented a transmission mechanism to be used in his vehicles.
🚦Inventors over the years have made travel safer for drivers and pedestrians alike. Garrett Morgan’s three-way traffic signal introduced the “caution” signal, Geoffrey Mahon and Allen Breed’s airbag has saved countless lives, and the team of inventors behind the modern crosswalk signal made intersections safer and easier to navigate.
Stay tuned for more trailblazing American inventions throughout the summer!
Registering your trademark means a flawless victory against counterfeiters. 🐉
First introduced by Midway Games in arcades in 1992, Mortal Kombat stood out for its digitized characters, martial arts action, and iconic finishing moves or “fatalities.”
Today, the franchise includes games, a comic book series, films, an animated TV series, and even a live theatrical tour. Over 100 million copies of the game have been sold.
@warnerbrosentertainment owns registered trademarks for the name “Mortal Kombat” (like Reg. No. 3,975,545), helping safeguard the identity of the global brand.
As fans return to the arena with the release of the new “Mortal Kombat II” movie, intellectual property protection is helping brands stay battle-ready and protected round-after-round.
Will you be gifting roses for Mother’s Day this Sunday? 🌹 Know that there’s innovation behind the bloom.
Plant Patent No. 636, a hybrid tea rose plant, reminds us of the patience, care, and dedication that Mother’s Day honors. It was carefully cross-bred to be extremely healthy, disease-resistant, and virtually free of thorns. Like many mothers and mother figures, it’s known for its remarkable strength and beauty.
Happy (early) Mother’s Day from the USPTO!
Plant photo: @univofmaryland
Happy Star Wars Day! We celebrate the heroes and the villains of a galaxy far, far away—along with the intellectual property that protects them.
Design patents cover characters and objects like R2-D2, Admiral Ackbar, Yoda, and Snowspeeders. Characters like Darth Vader and Stormtroopers as well as popular phrases like "May the Force be with you" are registered trademarks for products and services ranging from clothing to Christmas tree ornaments. Even Darth Vader's iconic breathing is a registered sound mark.
May the Force of IP be with you.
@starwars@georgelucasofficial@lucasfilm
Lights, camera...popcorn (and patents)! 🍿
What are your plans for this weekend? There’s nothing like a cozy home movie night. And what’s a movie without microwave popcorn, especially if the movie is Mission: Impossible-the Final Reckoning featuring Tom Cruise, a popcorn enthusiast himself.
Back in 1984, James D. Watkins helped transform how we enjoy this classic snack with U.S. Patent No. 4,450,180 for a specially-designed package that maximizes popping efficiency using microwave energy. Hooray for more fluffy kernels and fewer unpopped duds!
While many are ending the busy week saying TGIF, we say TGFI (Thank Goodness for Invention).
April has been out of this world 🚀
With @nasa ’s Artemis II mission making headlines, it takes us back to another April launch that changed space travel forever.
According to @guinnessworldrecords , the first orbital space shuttle mission (STS-1) lifted off on April 12, 1981, aboard Columbia, commanded by John Young and piloted by Robert Crippen.
Behind that history? Innovation.
Patents like U.S. Patent No. 3,866,863 helped break orbit, featuring a space vehicle design strikingly similar to the Columbia shuttle.
From blueprint to liftoff, innovation fuels every mission. 🚀👨🚀
#NASA #Artemis
Not registering your trademark? You’re despicable!
#OTD in 1937, Daffy Duck made his debut in “Porky’s Duck Hunt,” eventually becoming a timeless and legendary character in the “Looney Tunes” cartoons.
Duck season! Rabbit season! Duck Season! Sufferin’ succotash!
Today, @warnerbrosentertainment owns registered trademarks that protect the character's use in entertainment (films and television), toys, clothing, and various consumer products.
After all, without trademark protection, things could get a little “looney.”
Don’t know about you, but we think this patent drawing could hang in the @ngadc . 👀🖼️
According to @unesco , World Art Day celebrates the power of art to fuel creativity, curiosity, innovation, and to enrich cultures around the world.
And behind many artistic breakthroughs? Invention.
U.S. Patent No. 2,418,286—for an early invention in portable sketching equipment— renders 3D images of people and objects, eliminating the need for in-person models and making it easier and more efficient to create on-the-go.
As artistic innovation continues to evolve, one thing remains constant—at the USPTO, we’re proud to protect the inventions that bring every color, brushstroke, sketch, and design to life.
Festival season is calling… 🎶🌴
The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is one of the world’s largest and most famous music festivals. Behind the scenes, Coachella Music Festival, LLC owns registered trademarks to help protect the brand behind the festival on stage and beyond.
While you’re packing your desert camping essentials and outfits, remember that there is a portfolio of protected IP to help ensure you’re rocking out to the real deal.
@coachella@universalmusicgroup@riaa_awards@songwriters_guild
Inventors shoot for the moon. Some patented tech even makes it there 🚀
Artemis II’s successful launch last Wednesday made history as the first crewed mission to the moon in over 50 years. For 10 days, the crew of four astronauts will call the Orion spacecraft home as they perform a lunar flyby before returning to Earth.
Humanity’s return to the moon has inspired inventions that make deep space travel safer and more efficient. Some of these technologies even have applications here on Earth. From safety features like thermal protection and air filters to navigation and communications systems, take a look at just a handful of patents assigned to @nasa and developed with the Artemis program in mind.
This mission not only builds on a legacy of space exploration; it is a blueprint for the future. Successes and lessons from Artemis II will guide future missions to the surface of the moon, and beyond.
We love you a (Pumpkin Spice) Latte ☕ 😉
This National Coffee Day, we’re taking a look back at the coffee patents that have bean our mind: drip, pour, grind, brew, steep. There are more than 210,000 patents with references to “coffee” in the USPTO’s gazettes.
