Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 15:00 — 6.9MB)
Rolling the clock back to 1646, in the early colonial days of America, we learn the circumstances of the first patent issued in America. An ironworker had already been inventing a few household items. An iron kettle, farm implements, and others. His wife, Martha, encouraged him to protect his inventions with a patent, but Joseph only wants to help his fellow man.
Even his neighbors are impressed by his work, and marvel at Joseph’s lack of concern that people might steal his ideas. Joseph claims to have a bigger project, and his inventions thus far are negligible.
What is it? What is the big invention that will deliver his claim to fame? Joseph shares his plans, and even a small, working model to show that it really works. The first water powered saw. All he needs to do now is file his patent.
